il7 UleiUOir of the Services of Lieut.-
Gen. Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham,
chiefly from hia own Letters and from those
of Distinguished Contemporaries, edited by
Mtjor-General Ferdinard Whittingham, 0.
B. Portrait. 8vo, cloth, 75c. London,
1868.
Well known In the history of the Peninsular War.
afterwards Commander in Chief at Madras.
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LIEUTENANT-GENERAL
SIR SAMUEL FORD WHITTINGHAM,
K.C.B., K.C.H., G.C.F.
LONDON: FEINTED BY
SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STEEET SQUAKB
AND PAKLIAMKNT STKEET
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A MEMOIR OF THE SERVICES
OP
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL
Sm SAMUEL FORD WHUTINGHAM,
//
K.C.B., K.C.H., G.C.F.
Colonel of the 71st Highland Light Infantry.
DERIVED CHIEFLY FROM HIS OWN LETTERS AND FROM THOSE
OF DISTINGUISHED CONTEMPORARIES.
EDITED BV
MAJOR-GENEEAL FERDINAND WHITTINGHAM, C.B.
NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
LONGMANS, GEEEN, AND CO.
1868.
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TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
FIELD-MARSHAL
GEOEGE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, K.G.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,
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BY THE GRACIOUS PERMISSION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS,
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PREFACE
TO
THE NEW EDITION.
The errors and imperfections contained in tlie first
edition of this work, occasioned its speedy suppression,
in order to substitute for it the revised, and, as the Editor
trusts, considerably improved volume now offered to the
pubHc. His best thanks are assuredly due to those
critics who have already noticed the work ; because, as
may be seen at the end of the Appendix, they have amply
justified the opinion which he had long entertained, that
the services of Sir Samford Whittingham required only
to be better known in order to be fully appreciated by
his generous countrymen.
Of those services the Editor hopes that the present
volume is more worthy than its predecessor of becoming
the permanent record.
It is only necessary to add that the engraving in this
edition is a great improvement on the preceding one,
and now does full justice to the portrait from which it
was taken.
PREFACE.
By graciously consenting to accept of the dedication of
this volume, the illustrious Field Marshal who commands
the British army has conferred upon the memory of Sir
Samford Whittingham an honour, which can hardly fail
to convince military readers that his services and conduct
are worthy of being recorded. As regards civilians, it
is probable that they may be interested in the career of
an officer, who, although a thorough was yet not a mere
soldier : for statesmen, and ambassadors, as well as gene-
rals, have testified to his merits, in the most eulogistic
terms, and his services were, on several occasions, of a
civil as well as military nature. A cursory inspection of
the Index of this work would suffice to establish the
weight and importance of the testimonies adduced.
In consequence of the services of Sir Samford Whit-
tingham having been principally perfonned in the Spanish
army, and also because nearly the whole of his mifitary
career was passed abroad — in America, in the Peninsula,
and in the East and West Indies, — it was his misfortune,
as regarded his countrymen to be ignored by the many,
although most highly appreciated by the illustrious few ;
whose recognition of merit forms its surest test, as well
as its most valuable recompense.
X PREFACE.
It does not appear that the subject of this Memoir
ever contemplated making any record of his services.
His brother-in-law, however, Mr. Eichard Hart Davis,
successively member for Colchester and Bristol, always
preserved as much as possible his letters and papers ; in
the belief that such a pubhcation as the present, would
sooner or later occur.
Unfortunately many valuable letters have been lost,
including the greater part of General Whittingham's cor-
respondence with two successive military secretaries at
the Horse-Guards. The Editor was not, however, greatly
surprised, when the letters in question were found missing
from their registered places, as he had long believed that
their contents had, for the most part, been embodied in
Southey's ' History of the Peninsular War.' Indeed a
number of details in that work could hardly have been
collected from any other source. At the battles of
Baylen and Medellin, for instance, only one Englishman
appears to have been present, and yet he is not mentioned
by his brother Bristolian, South ey; although from him
only could the latter have learned the speeches which
Castanos and Alburquerque addressed to that English-
man. This personal silence confirms the fact in question
to those who know how General Whittingham was wont
to leave to others the task of recording his merits and
services.
In consequence of the loss of the letters addressed to
Colonels Gordon and Torrens, the private letters to his
brother-in-law, Mr. Hart Davis, form the chief basis of
this Memoir ; and their frank and unreserved style is
particularly suited for such a purpose. But from their
PREFACE. XI
voluminous nature, it has been possible only to give brief
extracts, as a general rule.
The Editor first projected this work in 1845. Aware
that the late heroic Earl of Fife had been the friend and
admirer of Sir Samford Whittingham, he wrote to his
Lordship to inform him of, and to consult him on, his
intentions. The following (omitting only some irrelevant
private matters) was the reply of Lord Fife : —
' DuFP House : Tuesday, [post-mark 28 March, 1845],
'Dear Whittingham, — I was very happy to have the
pleasure of receiving your interesting note regarding the
memory of your excellent father, my late intimate and
worthy friend. I, of course, am acquainted with much
information about Sir Samford, and all that I can pos-
sibly do, to forward your views and wishes, shall be with
much good will executed ; to do justice to the gallant
soldier, and talented gentleman, your father.
' Suchet, with whom I was well acquainted, often con-
versed with me regarding different officers who had
opposed him ; and particularly mentioned the merits of
your father which, he said, might have been followed
with bad results to the French, had the war continued
much longer. He said, " Whittingham's corps was the
best disciplined, and if the example had been followed
in many other instances, in different parts of Spain, the
French army would have felt the effects in a remarkable
manner."
' General Eeeves, an intimate friend of mine, who was
in Catalonia, often spoke most honourably of your father,
although he did not much like those Enghsh who were
with the Espagnolles. ...
Xll PKEFACE.
'There are two points to be noticed about your father's
conduct, which party and other reasons have rendered
obscure : his commanding the troops that marched to
Madrid, when the Cortes were assembled ; and also at the
battle of Barrosa. I shall afterwards make some obser-
vations and references about both ; and also [give] some
details of his services in the early part of the war with
[General] Cuesta, and the Duke of Alburquerque, the im-
portance of which were passed over or little known. . . .
' I took your father from Talavera, and, I think, saved
his life, in having a very good surgeon of the Guards*
every day, and [by having] fed him with tea, coffee and
butter, which were [then] of more value than gold ; and
I obliged him to go from the field in the evening, and
made a doctor go with him to my quarters.
'My brother. Sir Alexander Duff, knew your father
well, and came home with him from Buenos Ayres. I
was nearly being his second in a duel between him and
J of the Guards. Sir Charles Felix Smith, his second
and I made it up ; which was fortunate for J , as
your father was a capital shot.f
' Believe me, most truly, [yours]
' Fife.'
* Major Whittingham, [26th] Cameronians,
Manchester.'
In consequence of the increasing infirmities of Lord
Fife, the Editor did not again trouble his Lordship, nor
* The goodness of the surgeon, in a medical sense, is disproved in this
Memoir.
f No record of this affair will be found in this volume, owing to want of
details on the subject. The Editor believes that, either at Cadiz or Seville,
the quarrel arose from some expressions on the part of the Guardsman,
which were deemed insulting to the Spanish officers.
PREFACE. Xlll
did the latter ever send his promised informatioD. By
his letter, however, he had confirmed to the son, that
valuable testimony regarding Marshal Suchet, which in
1814 he had spontaneously sent to the father.* But the
effect of his letter was to delay the writing of this Memoir.
Eegimentally the Editor was then only a captain ; and
he had not the means or leisure for acquiring that com-
pleteness of information, necessary to do justice to a case,
which party spirit and ignorance of details, had rendered
obscure, in the opinion of a good and friendly judge.
Indeed some important facts only came to the knowledge
of the Editor, after the death of Sir William Napier and
the publication of his life.
The Editor, however, delayed chiefly on account of his
roving and unsettled life. He waited therefore till he
should have both leisure, and a fixed habitation, to enable
him to study the voluminous correspondence of Sir Sam-
ford Whittingham and the ' Wellington Dispatches.' At
length he has accomplished his task to the best of his
ability ; amidst the difficulties of selection, rejection, and
condensation, and of the loss of many valuable papers ;
and having also considerably to curtail the MSS. when
finished, as too bulky.
The delay brings with it, however, this advantage,
that it has facilitated candour and plain speaking; and
has also probably given time for the decay of that party
spirit, and professional jealousy, by which some facts were
formerly greatly misrepresented.
The Editor also trusts that the letters of distinguished
persons which are published in this volume, may be in-
* See p. 239.
XIV PREFACE.
teresting in themselves, as well as from their being strong
testimonies to character and conduct. Next to those of
the Duke of Wellington, and of the Marquis Wellesley,
the letters of the Honourable Sir Edward Paget, and of
Lord William Bentinck, furnish the strongest proofs of
the merits of Sir Samford Whittingham. Lord William
has an established reputation as a good officer and en-
lightened statesman ; but Sir Edward Paget has not
perhaps been sufficiently appreciated. How highly the
Duke of Wellington esteemed him, his ' Dispatches ' have
proved : but what Sir Charles Napier thought of him is
probably less known, and is, therefore, here recorded ; on
the authority of a living eye — and ear — witness of the
circumstances.
In 1848 Lord Frederick Fitz- Clarence, then Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Portsmouth, accidentally met, in the
streets of that town, the two soldier-sons of Sir Edward
Paget, and asked them to lunch with him that day, as he
was expecting Sir Charles Napier, on his way to Osborne
to see the Queen. This was at the time, when, at the
general call of the country, Sir Charles was about to pro-
ceed to India to save that empire from what was then
considered as impending ruin. Lord Frederick intro-
duced the young men to his distinguished guest, who,
taking them each by the hand, said : ' Ah ! if poor Sir
Edward had had the health for it, he would have been
the man to send to India.' *
Although four portraits of Sir Samford Whittingham
exist, the best by far is a small one from which the
As this circumstance occurred some years after the death of Sir
Samford Whittingham, it is recorded here instead of in the body of the
work.
PREFACE. ' XV
engraving in this volume is taken. It has, indeed, the
disadvantage of presenting him as the midecorated Cap-
tain of 1807, instead of the General with his three orders
of knighthood and seven medals, or minor decorations.
But this defect the skill of the engraver has lessened
by making a representation of the decorations under the
portrait.
During his last visit to England Sir Samford promised
at the request of his eldest niece (Mrs. Harford of Blaise
Castle) to commit to writing some of those Peninsular
anecdotes with which he had amused his relatives. This
promise he fulfilled on his last voyage to Madras in 1840 ;
and the Editor has made use of nearly all these ' Recol-
lections ' ; placing them in this volume, as far as possible
in the order of their proper dates.
Finally, as far as is consistent with the sacred claims
of justice to the memory of a beloved and honoured
parent, the Editor has endeavoured to justify the con-
fidence placed in him by the highly estimable gentleman,
who may be deemed to represent the interests of his
celebrated connection — Sir William Napier. This task
has been greatly facilitated by the fact that six of the
seven grand-children of Sir Samford Whittingham are re-
lated to that family, one of whose most distinguished
members did him a great, even if unintentional wrong.
The confidence in question was expressed in a note
concluding with the following words : —
' I greatly respect your sense of honour and justice and
am sure that in vindicating your distinguished father you
will not forget what is due to others.'
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
1772-1805.
PAG*
Difficulty in tracing the Family Antecedents — William Whitting-
ham of Bristol — Miss Eichardson — Samuel Ford changed to
Samford — He would be a Soldier — Old Mr. Whittingham objects
to his Son's entering the Army — Samford proceeds to Spain —
The ruling Passion — Death of his Father — Returns Home —
Gazetted Ensign — Lieutenancy in 1st Life Guards — Disadvan-
tage of tardy Entrance to the Army — High Wycombe College —
Sixteen Hours a day Study — Mr. Thomas Murdoch — William
Pitt's secret Mission — Note of Hon. W. Eliot — Lisbon — Rogers
and Richardson— Mr. Pitt's Thanks— His Death — The loth
Light Dragoons — Early Promotion of the Hon. Edward Paget,
the future Friend of Samford Whittingham . . . 1 — 8
CHAPTER IL
1806-1807.
Secret Expedition under Brigadier-General Robert Craufurd —
Captain Whittingham embarks at Portsmouth, 12th November,
1806 — Touches at St. lago — Midnight Freak of some British
Officers — Generosity of Portuguese Governor — A well-kept
Secret — Arrival at the Cape — How the Secret was discovered
— Arrival at Montevideo — General Whitelocke — Order of
Battle — Landing near Barragan — General Whitelocke's flatter-
ing Offer to Captain Whittingham — Why declined — General
Whitelocke's Errors — Question of not loading — Captain Whit-
tingham sent to reconnoitre — Captain Whittingham volunteers
to enter the Town — How he reached the Plaza de los Toros —
Returns to Head-quarters for Aid — Volunteers again to endeavour
to join Craufurd — Joins Nicols and Tolly at Residencia — Proof
of Craufard's Surrender — Successful Charge of Major Nicols —
a
XVI 11 CONTENTS.
PAQB
Captain Whittingham returns to Head-quarters — Suspension
of Hostilities — General Gower differs in opinion from Captain
Whittingham — Preliminaries of Peace — A disgraceful Treaty
— General Liniera — Loss to England by the Surrender — The
civic Compliments to General Whitelocke — Captain Cormero's
Information regarding the Weakness of the Buenos Ayres
Garrison — Durable Friendships contracted at Buenos Ayres —
Henry Torrens and the Hon. Henry Cadogan — General White-
locke's Trial — Brings Captain Whittingham into notice — Duke
of Kent becomes his Patron — General Eobert Craufurd's Tes-
timony and that of Colonel Gordon .... 9 — 27
CHAPTER IH.
1808.
Appointed to the Staff of the Army in Sicily — Takes leave of the
Duke of Kent — Arrives at Gibraltar — Acts as Military Secre-
tary to Sir Hew Dalrymple — Obtains leave to join General
Castanos as a Volunteer — His Brother-in-law's Letter of
Advice — His Appointment to the Staff of Sir Arthur Wellesley
— His ' Recollections ' of the Battle of Baylen — Castanos' gene-
rous Speech to Dupont — The first Englishman who fought in
the Peninsular War — Shared in the Victory by joining La
Pefia's Advanced Guard — Interview with Lord Collingwood —
With the Traitor La Morla — Scene at Seville in the Junta
Suprema — Castanos' Patriotism — Whittingham made Colonel
of Horse — The Englishman's Fall — The Duke of York's Pre-
sent to Castanos — Colonel Whittingham's Letter to Hon.
Henry Cadogan — His prophetic Anticipations of Spanish
Failures — Don Santiago Whittingham — Fever at Tudela — A
nearly smothered Medico — Disgrace of Castanos after Defeat of
Tudela — An WTidistinguished Relative of the Empress Eugenie
— Effective Speech to a Spanish Mob — ' When the Englishman
says it, it must be true ' — Things more agreeable as Recollec-
tions than when actually occurring — Duke of Infantado sends
Colonel Whittingham on a Mission to Seville — Gloomy Aspect
of Affairs in the absence of Sir Arthur Wellesley — First Meet-
ing with Lord William Bentinck • . . . . 28 — 50
CHAPTER IV.
1809.
The Duke of Infantado's Commission — The Duke's Retreat — The
chivalrous Duke of Alburquerque — Surprise of Mora — An
CONTP]NTS. XIX
PAGE
Exciting Chase — A Fox-like Kase — A horrible Incident — A
cunning Countess — A complete Humbug — A modest testa-
mentary Request — Letter to Mr. J. Hookham Frere — Bad
Conduct of General Urbina — His disgraceful Rout — Albur-
querque's Treatment of Traitors — Gallant Charge of Albur-
querque and Staff at Medellin — Alava's Heroism — Reforming
routed Cavalry — Unfortunately lost Letters — Alburquerque's
Laudatory Letters to Duke of York and Lord Castlereagh —
Contradictory Orders of Spanish Government — ^Letters to Mr.
Hookham Frere — A Prophecy destined to speedy fulfilment —
General Cuesta's earliest British Critic — A constant Source of
Annoyance — Sir A. Wellesley's Return to the Peninsula —
Brigadier-General Whittingham's Letter to Duke of Kent —
Harmony of Frere and Whittingham — Marquis Wellesley's
Opinion of Whittingham — Duke of Kent's Letter to Mr. Davis
concerning Brigadier- General Whittingham — Lost royal Letters
— Interview with Sir Arthur Wellesley — Meeting of General
Cuesta and Sir A. Wellesley — Whittingham's Mission to Cuesta
— Narrow Escape of Sir Arthur Wellesley — His Remarks to
Whittingham — Colonel Roche's Letter on Talavera — Sir A.
Wellesley's Dispatch — A glaring Injustice — ^^A truthful Com-
parison 51 — 93
CHAPTER V.
1809-1810. -
To Seville for Cure of Wound — Attached to Marquis Wellesley's
Embassy — Dr. Kennedy's Treatment — Dr. Knighton — General
Cuesta resigns his Command — Sir A. Wellesley's Retreat —
Brigadier-General Whittingham's confidential Employment under
Marquis Wellesley — Don Pedro de Creus y Ximenes, Intendant
of the Spanish Army — Affectionate Letter to Colonel Cadogan
— Lord Wellesley's Character — Cadogan's Present to Whitting-
ham— A Judge of Wine — Whittingham Major-General in
Spain — Inconvenience of Marquis Wellesley's Ambassadorship
— Sir Arthur Wellesley's candid Confession of Error — A Secre-
tary of Legation's Jealousy — Whittingham and Frere deemed
too partial to Alburquerque — A justified Preference — Lord
Wellington's aristocratic Prejudices — Close of Lord Wellesley's
brief Embassy — The Marquis's eulogistic farewell Letter —
Genial Shade of Aristocracy — Lord Wellington's Esteem for
Alava and Whittingham — Lord Macduff — ^Lord Wellington's
Letter to General Whittingham — CastaSos appoints him General
of- Division — Employed in Isla de Leon — Organizes a select
a2
XX CONTENTS.
PAOH
Body of Horse — Importance of the Balearic Islands — General
Whittingham's Promotion to Major in the English Army —
Alburquerque relieves Cadiz — His Resignation — Proceeds to
London as Ambassador — Dundas translated into Spanish —
Mr. Wellesley and General Graham recommend Whitting-
ham's Promotion — Invitation to his Nephew — Colonel Campbell
of the Majorca Division — General Graham's voluntary Testi-
mony — Mr. Wellesley's official Praise — Marquis Wellesley's
kind Letter to General Whittin^ham . . . . 94 — 120
CHAPTER VI.
1811.
The great Difficulty of General Whittingham — Napier and
Southey on the Battle of Barrosa — Graham's Assumption of
Command — He imputed no Blame to Whittingham — General
Whittingham commanded Infantry as well as Cavalry — Disad-
vantage of trusting to Memory — Whittingham's official Report
to La Pena — Ordered to retreat on main Body — Graham's
successful Charge — Whittingham's Report indirectly blames La
Pena — Accidentally delayed Advance — An egregious Misre-
presentation of Facts — General Whittingham's Letter to Mr.
Davis on Barrosa — The Duke's comprehensive Testimony in
favour of Whittingham — The Duke of Kent's spontaneous
Tribute to his Merits 121—133
CHAPTER VII.
1811 — continued.
General Whittingham's arduous Task at Majorca — Financial Duties
— A punctilious Governor — Lands at Palma — French and Ger-
man Prisoners — General Don Gregorio Cuesta again — Letter to
Colonel Torrens — Letter to Right Hon. Henry Wellesley — ■
Treatise on Majorca — Letter to Hon. Captain Blackwood, R.N.
— Letter to Admiral Pellew — Colonel Torrens's Opinion of
Whittingham — Letter to Colonel Torrens — Promotion to Lieut.-
Colonel in British Army — Letter to Mr. Davis — Captain
Briarly's Mission to Cadiz — Official Delays — General Whitting-
ham desired as Governor — Solicitations from Englishmen —
Spanish Jealousies and Intrigues — A nearly exhausted Patience
— General Cuesta's Enmity and Insults — General Cuesta's
Death 134—150
CONTENTS XXI
CHAPTER VIII.
1812.
PAGE
Letter to Sir Henry Wellesley — General Whittingham's Visit to
Minorca — Colonel Serrano's Report of tlie Alarm in his Absence
— Military College established by General Whittingham — A
generous and liberal Spanish Bishop — Voluminous Dispatch
to Mr. Wellesley — Importance of the Majorca Division — Its
numerical Strength at this time weak — Shocking State of
Spanish Officers in Palma — Conditional Resignation of Com-
mand— Majorca Division to operate on Eastern Coast under
Lord William Bentinck — Letter to Spanish military Intendant —
A justified Assurance given to the Admiral — Urgent Request
for a Paymaster — General Whittingham embarks with his
Division — Resigns his Command prospectively — Is flatteringly
requested to relinquish his Design — His grateful Reply to the
Ambassador — Successful Affairs of Posts — A military Diver-
sion— The Paymaster Difficulty — A Prospect of Relief ' 151 — 168
CHAPTER IX.
1813.
Lord Wellington's Instructions — Lord Wellington refuses the
Inspectorship to General Whittingham — The French attempt to
surprise Xigona — Treachery of an Italian Regiment — Colonel
Walker and Officers of H.M.'s 58th Regiment— Lord Welling-
ton grants the previously refused Inspectorship — His Reluctance
to the Measure — Different Style adopted to another Agent —
Gallant Conduct of the Spanish Captain Ruti — Generous Conduct
of the French Captors — A successful Ruse — A brave Spanish
Lieutenant — The French driven by General Whittingham
through the Pass of Albayda — General Murray's Two General
Orders — Lord Wellington's Dispatch — General Whittingham's
Report to the Ambassador — Concentayna Combat — Sir Henry
Wellesley 's Congratulations — Lord Wellington's Proof of Confi-
dence— Third General Order praising Whittingham's Division
— General Whittingham's Report to Sir John Murray— Battle
of Castalla— Sir John Murray's Dispatch to Lord Wellington
— At Castalla Spaniards rivalled the British— Anecdote from
the ' Recollections' 169—198
XX11 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
1813 — continued.
PAGE
Increase of French and Decrease of English Force — Reputation of
the Majorca Division — Death of Honourable Colonel Cadogan —
Lord William Bentinck supersedes Sir John Murray — General
Whittingham covers the Retreat from Tarragona — Effected
without Loss — Whittingham exceptionally favoured by Lord
Wellington — An Order more flattering than agreeable — Cavalry
unshod for want of Money — A German Aide-de-Camp — Oflicial
Jealousies and Persecutions — General Whittingham's Resig-
nation of Command — His Reasons for resigning — Account of
passing the Ebro — A drunken Commander — The French murder
Colonel O'Reilly — Retaliation by the Spaniards — Great Evils
require strong Remedies — Magazines filled in a Week — Lord
Wellington feels the utmost Concern at General Whittingham's
Resignation — Withholds his Papers till he shall hear again —
Gives him a large Command of Cavalry — The Glory and Duty
of obeying Wellington — State of Spanish Cavalry — Hazardous
Alternative — A fraternal Epanchement de Cceur — Training of
Spanish Cavalry — Colonel Torrens's Letter to Mr. Davis —
Routine carried too far — Lord Wellington resigns the Command
of the Spanish Army — Improvement of Spanish Cavalry — A
disappointing Peace ...... 199 — 227
CHAPTER XL
1814.
Spanish Promotions — A Prayer not heard — Lord Wellington's
Fears regarding Spain — Reception of Ferdinand VIL at Sara-
gossa — A triumphant Entry — Constitution unpopular in Spain
— The King requests Gen. W. to accompany him to Valencia —
The royal Present — Arrests — ' The Majesty that doth hedge a
King' — The King and Don Carlos's flattering Request— TAe
Duke's Testimony to the Merits and Services of General Whit-
tingham— His Conversation with the Duke — Unpopularity of
King Ferdinand in England— Appointed Aide-de- Camp to the
Prince Regent — Promotion to Lieut.-General in Spain — Sir
John Murray's Court-martial — Sir Henry Wellesley recommends
General Whittingham to Viscount Castlereagh — The Earl of
Fife's Letter — Marshal Suchet's Opinion of Whittingham—
Inquisition established in Spain — Spanish Finances — Sir John
Murray's Trial— Unlucky *Buts '-General Mina's RebelUon—
CONTENTS, XXlll
PAGE
Eecollections of King Ferdinand — Triumphal royal Eoute —
The King and the Constitution — Royal Thanks — General Whit-
tingham commanded to continue with His Majesty — General
Zayas sounds General Whittingham — His Opinion not approved
— Arrests — March on Madrid — Cavalry Field-day — Lieutenant-
Generalship conferred by the King — Ministry of War offered —
Declined after reference — Takes Leave of the King and Don
Antonio 228—248
CHAPTER XH.
1815-1819.
Sir John Murray's Trial — Sentence of Admonishment not carried
out — An absurd Parliamentary Calumny — A Duel prevented by
the Speaker — Quarrel adjusted — Colonel Campbell's Letter from
Madrid — His Description of the Anglo- Spanish Officers — Gen.
Whittingham's Appointment in the Spanish Army — Failed to
obtain Employ with British Troops — Want of Rank in the
British Army — The secret Dispatch — Aristocratic Nature of
Wellington — Commissionership with Austrian Army declined
— The Spanish Offer preferred — George IV.'s Aide-de-Campship
no Sinecure — Duke of York's Letter to Sir Henry Wellesley —
Disappointing Peace — Grand Cross of San Fernando — State of
Finances in Spain — General Whittingham's Memoir to the
King on the Slave Trade — Why unemployed at Madrid — Royal
Favour — Russian Influence — Mr. B. Frere's Engagement — An
expensive Honour for Lady Whittingham declined — Legiti-
mately e:j5:ercised Influence — Explanation of his Conduct to
Lord Castlereagh — Declines all Rewards — The only Favour
asked of the King — Government declined — Services unre-
warded— Starvation in the midst of Honours — Mr. Vaughan's
Recommendation of the General — His diplomatic Services to
Mr. Yaughan — Diplomatic Services to Sir Henry Wellesley —
Introduces his Nephew to the best Society — Marriage of Mr.
B. Frere by Proxy — Sir H. Wellesley's Letter to the Duke
of York — The royal Reply — Plenty of Praise, no Rewar-ds
■ — Troubles in Spain — Defence of the King a Point of
Honour — Decline of English and Rise of Russian Influence
— Secret Negociations by the Russian Minister — Death of
Mrs. B. Frere — General Whittingham leaves Madrid — His
Success against the Slave Trade — Chamois-hunting in the
Pyrenees — Offered the Government of Dominica — Bids Fare-
well to the King of Spain — An attentive royal Host — Opinion
applauded but not followed — The Ambassador's final Testimony
XXIV CONTENTS.
PAGB
— Nothing ask, Nothing have — General Whittingham's Letter to
Mr. Murdoch — Fruitless Mission of the Count de Corres — Lord
Castlereagh's Testimony of Mr. Davis — Baron Hugel's Descrip-
tion of the West Indies 249—284
CHAPTER XIII.
1820-1822.
General Whittingham's Arrival in Dominica — Restores Order and
Concord — Anxious to obtain Employment in India — His System
of Government — Favours the Slave Population — Testimonials
both from the Islanders and the Proprietors resident in England
— Boon to the White Soldiers by Sir Samford's Recommendation
— Wilberforce's Letter to the Bishop of Calcutta — His Auto-
graph Letter to Sir Samford — George IV. and the Duke of York's
Letters of Introduction — Sir Henry Torrens's prophetical Letter
— A most delighttul Personage — A popular Marquis — Uncle
Toby and Corporal Trim — A Governor- General's Smiles and
Frowns — ^Visit to Lord Hastings at Barrackpore — His Lordship's
flattering Confidence — How Lord Hastings silenced Ava's King
— Arrival of Sir Edward Paget, the new Commander-in-Chief —
Lord Hastings' great Error 285 — 303
CHAPTER XIV.
1823-1825.
Death of the Marquis of LondondeiTy — Death of Bishop Middleton
— Sir Edward Paget's flattering Proposal — India should be ruled
by a Viceroy — The King of Oude — A handsome Commander-
in-Chief — Reorganization of Bengal Army indispensable —
Wretched State of military Means — Arduous oflScial Labours —
Encouragement to Smokers — Sir Edward Paget's sole Source
of Comfort — The Mutiny at Barrackpore — Sir Samford's Report
of the Mutiny — His subsequent Defence of Sir Edward Paget —
Death of Sir Alexander Campbell — The Altei' Ego of the Com-
mander-in-Chief— Sir Herbert Taylor's Letter to Sir Samford —
Illness of Sir Edward Paget — Advice followed Forty Years
later — Lord Combermere's Arrival — First Impressions of his
Lordship — Character of Sir Edward Paget — Parting Exchange
of Presents — The Hookah and the ' Admiral ' — Lord Comber-
mere's Advance to besiege Bhurtpore — Efficient Preparations
owing to Sir Edward Paget — Lord Combermere's temporary
Coldness to Sir Samford Whittingham . . . 304—327
CONTENTS. XXV
CHAPTER XV.
1826.
PAGK
Sir Samford receives a Contusion at the Siege of Bhurtpore — His
narrow Escape — Extraordinary Valour of Lieut. Caine. — Defence
of Sir Edward Paget — An invaluable Intellect — A satisfactory-
Letter — A Meerut Scandal — A Meerut Duel — Coolness under
Fire considered criminal — Effects of a masterly Letter — Slow
Posts caused ludicrous liesults — 111 Health of the Duke of York
— Sir Herbert Taylor's eulogistic Letter — Defective military
Organization in India — Increase of European Force necessary
from the Insubordination of Native Soldiers — Sir Edward Paget's
generous Letter to Earl Bathurst — How the Means were created
for taking Bhurtpore. ..... 328 — 340
CHAPTER XVI.
1827-1828.
Two Letters of same Date Ten Thousand Miles apart — Sir Edward
Paget's Congratulations — Death of the Duke of York — Captain
Seymour's Death — Copy of Sir Edward's Letter to Lord Bath-
urst reaches India — Aide-de-Camp selected for his Merit —
Lord Combermere the Guest of Sir Samford — The Talk of the
Garrison — The King of Oude — Lord Combermere's Friendliness
— The Reaction of a generous Mind — Lord William Bentinck's
Appointment — Sir Edward's Present of genuine Havannahs —
Thanks of the House of Commons — Sir Edward's generous Dis-
claimer of Thanks — Willoughby Cotton's affectionate Letter — A
Model of what a Man ought to be — Willoughby Cotton's Opinion
of Sir Edward Paget — The principal Promoter of the Passage of
the Douro — Lord Combermere's kind Letter — Lord William
Bentinck's Arrival — His Request — Sir Herbert Taylor's Opinion
of Sir E. Paget — The Confidant of Three successive Kings — Lord
Combermere's Proof of Confidence — Sir Edward's Affection — Sir
Samford's greatest Ambition ..... 341 — 359
CHAPTER XVII.
1829-1830.
On route to meet Lord Combermere — Takes final Leave of Lord
Combermere — Letter of Southey to Mr. Hart Davis — Great Un-
popularity of Lord William Bentinck — Captain Caine A.D.C.
and the Tigers — Delightful Climate of Meerut — L^niversal Har-
b
XXVI CONTENTS.
PAGE
lAony at Cawnpore Station — Lord Comb'ermere's Letter — Mus-
sourie Hills — India not a good School for young Soldiers — ^A
Home on the Hills — ^Lord Hastings versus Lord Amherst as a
Financier — Accounts mysteriously withheld — Sir Henry Har-
dinge's Correspondence with Sir Samford — Expected Visits from
Lord William Bentinck and Lord Dalhousie — Anxiety for a
prolonged Command 360 — 369
CHAPTEK XVHL
1831.
Visits of the Earl of Dalhousie and of Lord William Bentinck —
The Duke of Wellington's repeated Observation to Mr. Hart
Davis regarding General Whittingham — Wholly adopted and
rejoiced in by Lord William Bentinck — The Duke's Declaration
against Eeform — The Duke's Loss of Office injurious to Sir
Samford — The rival Champagnes — A candid noble Sportsman
— Lieutenant (now Sir Henry) Durand — One of the Duke's
last official Acts — Lord William Bentinck's opinion of
Daniel O'Connell — His Confidence in his Countrymen — A
characteristic Letter by * The Duke ' — Lord Hill's Opmion of
Sir Samford 370—379
CHAPTER XIX.
1832.
Mussourie — Chiefs at Simla, with their respective Staffs — Sir
Edward Barnes — Bad Handwriting no Proof of Greatness — Lord
William on the Royal Discretion — Sir Edward Barnes — The
Commander-in-Chief's official Death Warrant — The Duke's
Dictum on the Disagreement of Indian Chiefs — Lady William
Bentinck — Injustice of Napier's earliest Volumes — The Non-
publication of the ' Wellington Dispatches ' an insufficient Excuse
— The Barrosa Injustice — Colonel Caine's Recollections — Sir
Samford writes to Sir Edward Paget for Redress and Satis-
faction 380—384
CHAPTER XX.
1833-1835.
An inauspicious Day — Sir Frederick Adam, Governor of Madras
. — ' Les absents ont toujours tort ' — A reckless Rider — A General
calls out an Ensign — An unexpected broad Front —Cruel only
CONTENTS. XXVll
PAGE
to be kind — Lord William Bentinck's Comments on the Duel
— The Governor-General appointed Commander-in-Chief —
Application for the Military Secretaryship — Sir Samford's Value
to Lord William — A very hard Case — Colonel Napier's State-
ment too favourably judged by its Victim — Sir Sam ford unjust
to himself — An official Letter on broken Promises — First Meet-
ing since Childhood of Father and Son — The Nilgherry Hills —
Sir Edward Paget and the ' United Service Journal ' — Lord
William's Confidence in General Whittingham — Babington
Macaulay, Member of Council — Sir Samford's Admiration for
the Prussian Military System — Requests Sir Edward to be his
Second in a Duel with Colonel Napier — Sails for England in
the*Cura9oa' 385—403
CHAPTER XXL
1835-1836.
Mr. Davis's Letter to Sir E. Paget — Sir Edward declines to take
Part in a Duel — Sir Rufane Donkin's decisive Conduct approved
by Sir Edward Paget — A double Breach of Faith — A Question
left to the Judgment of the Reader — Literviews with ' The Duke '
and Lord Glenelg — Men of no Party apt to be neglected — The
Compiler of the immortal ' Dispatches ' consults Sir Samford —
Lord Auckland's Invitation — His Lordship's Notes to Sir Sam-
ford — The Hon. Admiral Fleeming — Lord Elphinstone —
Lord William Bentinck's Dinner to Lord Auckland — Lord
George Bentinck — Royal Presentation — The King's Questions
— William IV. 's flattering Finale — Sir H. Taylor's Letter on
the Death of Sir William Knighton — The Duke of Wellington
on the same Subject — Sir Samford Whittingham's Reply to his
Grace — Sir Edward Paget's Farewell — Lord William Bentinck's
Farewell — His Lordship's Philosophy — Correspondence between
Sir Samford and Lord Palmerston — Portsmouth Hospitalities —
Embarkation 404—425
CHAPTER XXIL
1837-1839.
Sir Samford's Second Service in the West Indies — Seeds of Dissen-
sion sown in vain at Barbadoes — A profitless Command — Cares
for the Health and Comfort of Soldiers — Mutiny of the Black
Troops in Trinidad — A Roman View of Military Discipline — A
fraternal Difference — ' The best Inspecting-General we have ' —
XXviii CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sir Charles Paget's flattering Letter to Sir Samford — Popularity
at the Expense of Discipline despised— Appointed Colonel of the
7 1st Highland Light Infantry— Congratulations of Sir John Mac-
donald the Adjutant- General— Sir Charles Paget's ' Heart and
Soul Remark' to his Brother — An invaluable Inspecting- General
Sir De Lacy Evans — The Hougomont Hero — Dr. Archibald
Hair's Congratulations — Lord Glenelg's Letter — Doctor Cole-
ridge, Bishop of Barbadoes — Sir Samford's Joy at the Emanci-
pation of the Negroes — Inspection Visit to Dominica — Sir
Samford's Capacity for Labour — A fiery Interview between
Wellington and Picton — Yellow Fever in its last Stage —
Satisfaction of Home Authorities — Death of Admiral Sir Charles
Paget — His Relatives advise Sir Samford to resign — Mr. B.
Frere's Letter to Sir Samtbrd — Appointed Commander-in-
Chief at Madras — Parting Compliments from the Governor
and Assembly — Departure . . . . 426 — 453
CHAPTER XXIIL
1840-1841.
Returns to England for the last time — Last recorded Meeting of
Two old Friends — Moore and Dickens — Duke of Wellington's
kind Note — Letter to Sir John Ilobhouse on Corporal Punish-
ment— Writes his ' Recollections ' at Sea — Arrives at Madras
during Lord Elphinstone's Absence — Lord Elphinstone's natural
but needless Fears — Reinforcement to China — I^etter from Lord
Burghersh — Letter to the Hon. W. G. Osborne — Sir Charles
Felix Smith's eulogistic Letter — A true Prophet on Indian Affairs
— Sir Samford recommends Rapidity of Military Movements — A
be-jewelled Rajah — An unworthy Englishman — Evil Effects of
the West Indies — Sir Harry Smith's spontaneous Letter to Sir
Samford — Evil Results of paternal Prejudices — Letter from the
Bishop of Madras — Sir Samford's Loyalty to the Government —
Correspondence about the ' Wellington Dispatches ' — Sir Sam-
ford's Letter to Colonel Gurwood — Sir Samford's last Letters —
His sudden Death — Lord Fitzroy Somerset's Letter to the Editor
— The Funeral 454—491
APPENDICES 493—499
A MEMOIR
OF
SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE I.
1772-1805.
UIPFICTJLTT IN TRACING THE FAMILY ANTECEDENTS — WILLIAM WHIT-
TINGHAM OF BRISTOL — MISS EICHARDSON — SAMUEL FORD CHANGED TO
SAMFORD — HE WOULD BE A SOLDIER — OLD ME, WHITTINGHAM OBJECTS
TO HIS son's ENTERING THE ARMY — SAMFORD PROCEEDS TO SPAIN—
THE RULING PASSION — DEATH OF HIS FATHER — RETURNS HOME — GA-
ZETTED ENSIGN — LIEUTENANCY IN 1ST LIFE GUARDS — DISADVANTAGE OF
TARDY ENTRANCE TO THE ARMY — HIGH WYCOMBE COLLEGE — SIXTEEN
HOURS A DAY STUDY — MR. THOMAS MURDOCH — WILLIAM PITT's SECRET
MISSION — -NOTE OF HON. W. ELIOT — LISBON — ROGERS AND RICHARDSON
— MR. Pitt's thanks — his death— the 13th light dragoons — early
PROMOTION OF THE HON. EDWARD PAGET, THE FUTURE FRIEND OF
SAMFORD WHITTINGHAM.
For more than sixty years the subject of this Memoir and
his sons have passed the best part of their Hves in the
pubHc service of their country, in various parts of the
world, and without a settled habitation. Owing to this
fact, to the local changes in his native town, and to the
circumstance that all the early contemporaries of Sir
Samford Whittingham have long since departed this hfe,
it is no easy matter to trace in accurate detail the antece-
dents of the family. Nor is this necessary in a case where
the distinction gained by personal merit, unaided by aris-
tocratic connections, is one of the chief justifications for
B
2 • MEMOIli or SIR JS. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
holding up as a useful example to others the career of a
military officer.
The father of Sir Samford Whittingham was a respec-
table citizen of the ancient and honourable city of Bristol.
Mr. William Whittingham appears to have retired from
business, with an independent, though not large, fortune,
and thenceforward to have lived on his means as a gentle-
man in his native city. He had early married a young
lady, who lived in the neighbourhood, who was of War-
wickshire extraction, and who was called ' the beautiful
Miss Eichardson.' They had three children. The eldest,
a girl, Sarah, married in 1789 Eichard Hart Davis, a pros-
perous merchant in the Spanish wool trade, who, in 1806,
became member for Colchester, and in 1812 was returned
for his native city of Bristol (which he represented in six
successive Parliaments), and was succeeded at Colchester
by his eldest son. Hart Davis, afterwards Deputy Chairman
of the Board of Excise.
The third child, James, eventually obtained a small post
under Government. The elder of the two sons, Samuel
Ford, the subject of this work, was born on the 29th
January, 1772. When he grew up, his father desired to
train him to the law, in its less brilliant but more pro-
bably remunerative branch; but his son revolted at the
very idea. From the first he was resolutely determined to
be a soldier ; and nature had fitted him for the profession
of arms.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with a fine figure, and an
excellent constitution, he possessed an open fearless dis-
position, and an enthusiastic impetuosity, with much am-
bition, all tempered by the most generous and chivalrous
feelings. In addition to this, Samford (for into that one
word the names Samuel Ford were soon contracted by
himself and his friends) possessed much natural ability, very
gi-eat energy, and a truly wonderful power of application.
A bright and winning smile, a large and powerful fore-
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER. 3
head, neutralized the irregularity of his features, and,
coupled with his strong and commanding figure, formed
a prepossessing exterior, which manners, always allowed
to be singularly charming, rendered very attractive even
to strangers, and completely fascinating to relatives and
friends.* His respectful and disinterested deference and
attentions to the fairer half of the creation was ever one of
his most striking characteristics ; and he truly was the
knight without fear and without reproach. His natural im-
petuosity was calculated to make great friends or great
enemies. If in his career the former greatly prepon-
derated ; if the latter were indeed very rare, as is believed
to have been the case ; this must be attributed to those
winning qualities, that never lost a friend, but often won
over an enemy. But his father would not hear of his en-
tering the army ; and his filial piety was such that he gave
up the cherished object of his fife till he became his own
master. f He even allowed his brother-in-law, Mr. Hart
Davis, to persuade him to give a trial to the wool trade, so
far as to agree to travel into Spain, and visit the connec-
tions at Bilbao of the Bristol House. The desire to travel
and see the world attracted him. He proceeded to
Spain ; there, with his wonted application and energy, he
speedily acquired a perfect knowledge of the Spanish lan-
* One of Sir Samford Whittingham's nieces thus describes her uncle's
appearance : — ^ If by the word handsome is simply meant beauty of feature
and profile, it does not apply to him. But if eyes of matchless brilliancy,
and the whole heart and soul animating a countenance beaming with talent
and affection, be the test, then his countenance was eminently fascinating
and delightful to look upon ; as were his manners and powers of conversa-
tion, by which he won the hearts of all who approached him.'
To this may be added another peculiarity, which may interest the reader.
One of the medical officers called in when Sir Samford Whittingham was
dying afterwards declared that he had ' the largest forehead he had ever
seen.'
t According to the Bristol Times (in its review of this work) Samford
Whittingham was one of the mounted volunteers composed of the richer
citizens, who were enrolled in Bristol in 1797, on a threatened French inva-
sion. No doubt this episode increased his warlike tendencies.
b2
4 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
guage and people. But he preferred the society of the
military to that of the merchants, and the ruling passion
only became stronger and firmer than ever.
Mr. William Whittingham died at Earl's Mead, Bristol,
on the 12th September, 1801, aged sixty ; a man much re-
spected by his relatives and acquaintances. The part of
the town in which he lived has undergone such changes
as to be no longer recognizable, thus adding to the diffi-
culties of all researches into the past.
By his father's death, Samford Whittingham became in-
dependent. He did not, however, immediately return to
England ; probably waiting till he should learn if there
were any prospect of his being at length able to obtain a
commission in the army. Fortunately the rule that pre
vented anyone above twenty-six years of age from obtain-
ing a commission did not then exist. But it is probable
that the further unfortunate delay was occasioned by his
respect for his mother, who might have been shocked at the
earnest wishes of the father being disregarded too soon
after his death. The son appears to have remained
abroad till he received the news of his approaching ap-
pointment. At all events it was not till the 3rd of January,
1803, that he arrived at the house of his widowed
mother, in College Green, Bristol ; and on the 20th of the
same month he was gazetted to an ensigncy. But he was
bent on being a cavalry officer, and immediately pro-
ceeded to London to negotiate the exchange.
The following fragment of a letter (which must have
been written from London about the middle of February
1803, as it is recorded that he left the Green on the 3rd
of that month) was carefully preserved by his mother, and
found in her pocket-book, after her death : —
'My dearest Mother, — I have almost concluded the
business of the Lieutenancy in the [1st] Life Guards.
Lord Harrington, the Colonel, is to give me a positive
SIXTEEN HOURS A DAY STUDY. 5
answer on Monday ; and Mr. Greenwood * has no doubt it
will be favourable. The price is 2,000 guineas ; but out
of this will be deducted the price I have already paid for
the Ensigncy, &c.'
Samford Whittingham was now thirty-one years of age.
At that period, men usually obtained their first commis-
sions at sixteen or earlier. He had thus lost at least
fifteen years, and started in the army at a most lamentable
disadvantage. If such a thing were possible now, it would
be sufficiently disadvantageous. But sixty years ago it
was worse. It is true that, thanks to that ' Soldier's
Friend,' the Duke of York, the days were past in which
English colonels might be seen in long clothes, or Scotch
majors be heard ' greeting for their porridge.' But the
road to promotion for the noble and wealthy was still
w^onderfuUy quick; and many men scarcely out of their
teens were often found in actual command of regiments.
Mr. William Whittingham's obstinacy had done irrepa-
rable injury to his son, rendering it almost impossible for
him to expect to live to attain to the higher posts and
rewards of the profession of arms, especially as he had
nothing but his own merit to rely on in the struggle.
He did not return to Bristol, but proceeded imme-
diately to the military college, then situated at High
Wycombe. Although in those days science was not much
encouraged in the army yet the zealous soldier was deter-
mined thoroughly to fit himself for the duties which he
had undertaken to perform. He determined to endeavour
to make up for lost time by extra exertions. It is re-
corded that, whilst at college, he lived on vegetable diet,
in order to be able to study sixteen hours a day ! And his
constitution was able to bear for about a year and a half
this trying strain upon its powers. He left an impression
* The firm now called Messrs. Cox and Co.^ the ^;ar excellmce Army
Agents of England.
6 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
at High Wycombe, which, in the memory of more than
one professor, was transmitted to Sandhurst College, when
the scholastic locality was changed ; and of which im-
pression, the editor was an ear-witness nearly thirty
years later.
Samford Whittingham appears to have joined the 1st
Life Guards in London towards the latter part of 1804.
He had made, probably in Portugal, the acquaintance of
Mr. Thomas Murdoch, a wealthy and influential wine
merchant. This gentleman appears to have been the
means of introducing Lieutenant Whittingham to the
notice of the Eight Honourable William Pitt, the Premier^
who was then projecting an expedition against the Spanish
South American colonies, and was desirous to secure for
that purpose the services of a certain Englishman, named
Captain Kogers, then in Madrid, in the service of Spain.
Eogers was probably the captain of an English merchant
ship, though this is a matter of conjecture only. The
Life-Guardsman's knowledge of Spain and of the language,
and his High Wycombe education no doubt w^ere con-
sidered good qualifications for the negotiation in question :
and he was of course delighted to be of service to the
great Minister of the day.
As Mr. Pitt entered into his last period of office in May
1804, and as Lieutenant Whittingham belonged to the
1st Life Guards only from the 10th March, 1803, to the
14th February, 1805, there is no difficulty in filling up
that part of the date of the following note, which is left
blank in the original : —
* Greenwich, ISth December' [1804].
' Dear Sir, — ^Mr. Pitt will be glad to see Mr. Whitting-
ham to-morrow morning at any time he will call and send
in his name. The sooner he calls after eleven o'clock the
less chance there will be of his being kept waiting.
OBTAINS THE THANKS OF MR. PITT. 7
' I have written, by his direction, for leave of absence to
Lord Harrington.
' Yours faithfully,
'Wm. Eliot.
' Thomas Murdoch, Esquire,
^ No. 1 Fitzroy Square.'
There is no doubt that the above note was written by
the honourable William Eliot, brother to the first Earl,
and afterwards himself the second Earl, of &t. Germans.
The ensuing correspondence has been lost, in consequence
of the box in which it was deposited in the care of Mr.
Eichard Hart Davis having been stolen a few years later.
A certain Captain Eichards was, it appears, employed
by Lieutenant Whittingham to proceed from Lisbon to
Madrid in the disguise of a smuggler, and to bring over
Captain Eogers to England, and nothing more is at present
known of the transaction itself. As regards Lieutenant
Whittingham, he obtained the thanks of Mr. Pitt, but
declined at the time all remuneration. The premature
death of the Minister, on the 23rd January, 1806, was
one of Samford Whittingham's earliest misfortunes, pre-
venting his deriving at that time any advantage, either
from his services or his disinterestedness. But the Ministry
took these services, amongst others, into consideration
when, many years later, a small pension was granted
to him.
In the United Service Journal for April, 1841,, this
affair with Mr. Pitt is thus noticed in the account of the
services of Sir Samford Whittingham : —
' In 1804, Lieutenant Whittingham, at the desire of
Mr. Pitt, was selected to proceed to Portugal on a secret
mission. This service detained him in that country about
twelve months, and during his residence at Lisbon, he
was promoted to a company in the 20th Foot.
' Captain Whittingham, on his return to England, was
complimented by Mr. Pitt on the very able manner in
8 MEMom OF sm s. f. whittingham.
which he had executed the commission entrusted to him
by that Minister ; and shortly after a troop in the 13 th
Light Dragoons becoming vacant, he was removed into
that regiment/
The article from which the above was taken was (there
is every reason to believe) written by Mr. Hart Davis,
Junior, late Deputy Chairman of the Board of Excise, who
was better acquainted than any person then living with
all that concerned his uncle, Sir Samford Whittingham.
The exchange into the 13th Light Dragoons must have
cost a large sum of money ; but the amount has not been
recorded.
In that same year, 1805, in which Samford Whitting-
ham was promoted to be captain, his future greatest
friend and patron — then wholly unknown to him, and two
years younger than himself — was gazetted a Major-
General. This was the honourable Edward Paget (whose
brother, Lord Paget, afterwards became Marquis of
Anglesey), of whom much mention will be made in the
latter half of this volume.
SECRET EXPEDITION TO LIMA.
CHAPTER n.
1806-1807.
SECKET EXPEDITION "UNDER BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROBERT CRAUFtTRD —
CAPTAIN WniTTINGHAM EMBARKS AT PORTSMOUTH, 12TH NOVEM BER 1806
— TOUCHES AT ST. lAGO — MIDNIGHT FREAK OF SOME BRITISH OFFICERS
— GENEROSITr OF PORTUGUESE GOVERNOR — A WELL-KEPT SECRET
ARRIVAL AT THE CAPE — HOW THE SECRET WAS DISCOVERED ARRIVAL
AT MONTEVIDEO — GENERAL WHITELOCKE — ORDER OF BATTLE — LANDING
NEAR BARRAGAN — GENERAL WHITELOCKE's FLATTERING OFFER TO CAP-
TAIN WHITTINGHAM — WHY DECLINED — GENERAL WHITELOCKE's ERRORS
— QUESTION OF NOT LOADING — CAPTAIN WHITTINGHAM SENT TO RE-
CONNOITRE— CAPTAIN WHITTINGHAM VOLUNTEERS TO ENTER THE TOWN
— HOW HE REACHED THE PLAZA DE LOS TOROS — RETURNS TO HEAD-
QUARTERS FOR AID — VOLUNTEERS AGAIN TO ENDEAVOUR TO JOIN CRAU-
FURD — JOINS NICOLS AND TOLLY AT RESIDENCIA — PROOF OP CRAUFURD's
SURRENDER — SUCCESSFUL CHARGE OF MAJOR NICOLS— CAPTAIN WHIT-
TINGHAM RETURNS AGAIN TO HEAD-QUARTERS — SUSPENSION OF HOS-
TILITIES— GENERAL GOWER DIFFERS IN OPINION FROM CAPTAIN WHIT-
TINGHAM— PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE — A DISGRACEFUL TREATY —
GENERAL LINIERS — LOSS TO ENGLAND BY THE SURRENDER — THE CIVIC
COMPLIMENTS TO GENERAL WHITELOCKE — CAPTAIN CORMERO'S INFOR-
MATION REGARDING THE WEAKNESS OF THE BUENOS AYRES GARRISON
— DURABLE FRIENDSHIPS CONTRACTED AT BUENOS AYRES — HENRY
TORRENS AND THE HONOURABLE HENRY CADOGAN — GENERAL WHITE-
LOCKE'S TRIAL — BRINGS CAPTAIN WHITTINGHAM INTO NOTICE — DUKE
OF KENT BECOMES HIS PATRON — GENERAL ROBERT CRAUFURD's TESTI-
MONY AND THAT OF COLONEL GORDON.
Towards the close of 1806, when the secret expedition
against Lima, under the command of Brigadier-General
Robert Craufurd was organized, Captain Whittingham
was appointed Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General
to that force. Early in October, he joined it at Ports-
mouth, and sailed from England on the 12th November
of the same year. From the day of his embarkation to
that of his return to England, he — notwithstanding his
many official duties — kept a copious journal, which com-
10 .MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
pletely filled two small manuscript volumes. From these
alone a full and graphic history of one of the most disas-
trous expeditions, that England ever embarked in, might
easily be written. And surely with profit : for the study
of defeats, by teaching us how to avoid them, is as profit-
able, though not as agreeable, as the study of victories is
to teach us how to gain them. But as this work is not a
history, but only the memoir of an individual, the quota-
tions from these voluminous journals will be limited to
such matters as regard the character, conduct, and for-
tunes of Captain Whittingham, although to do this clearly
must entail the narration of many general details of the
expedition.
The fleet and convoy touched at St. lago, the capital of
the Verde Islands, on the 14th December, 1806. There
Captain Whittingham's knowledge of languages was very
useful to the Brigadier-General, in official matters, and
very agreeable to the donna and to her lovely daughters
at whose house the Captain was quartered during the few
days the fleet remained in the harbour. As the Staflf
Officer of the force, he had also to settle a serious affair,
the result of the wanton midnight freaks of some wild
British officers, who had finished by insulting the guard
of the Governor Don Antonio Continho.* But the gene-
rous Governor was satisfied with an apology, interceded
warmly in favour of the offenders, and finally ended
by hospitably entertaining them and their mediator to
dinner. ' Sorry I am to say,' says the journalist about
this business, ' I never saw my countrymen appear to less
advantage.' —
On the 11th June the expedition left the Islands. On
* The ring-leader of these rioters was the Hon. Captain , who was
madly determined to force the Governor into a hag, which he had obtained
for the purpose ; and he was with difficulty dissuaded from carrying out his
scheme.
ARRIVAL AT MONTEVIDEO. 11
the 29tli, it passed the hne, and reached the Cape of
Good Hope on the 15th March. The secret of the ex-
pedition had been well kept even from the Staff Officer.
But fresh instructions received at the Cape caused an
entire change of the original plan. Meantime the stay
at the Cape was enlivened by putting the troops ashore
for some days ; on one of which there was a grand re-
view of the united forces under Generals Grey and Crau-
furd. The second of the two following extracts shows
the penetration of the writer of the journal : —
' hth April [1807]. — The gale having subsided about
half past four in the morning, we got under way. The
weather was beautifully serene, and a few hours took the
whole fleet out of the harbour. In the evening we were
becalmed.'
' 1th April. — Yesterday evening the Admiral [Murray]
made the compass signal to steer north-west during the
night. This has decided my opinion as to our present
destination : we are certainly going to St. Helena, and
thence to Buenos Ayres.'
The fleet sighted St. Helena on the 19th April. On
the 20th, Captain Whittingham left the ' Warre ' transport
to take the orders of the General, who was on board the
Admiral's ship. He then proceeded ashore to call on
the Governor, with whom he breakfasted ; a clever
crotchety man, who started a long and tedious discussion
in the vain endeavour to prove to the pupil of High
Wycombe the value of some very doubtful improvements
in gunnery.*
On the 25th, the fleet and transports again started ;
and cast anchor near Montevideo on the 13th June,
where they found Sir Samuel Achmuty (who had taken
it by storm) with some 7,000 men. General Whitelocke
* The whole discussion is given in voluminous detail in the journal.
12 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM
i
had also arrived ; and now Craufurd's division was incor-
porated with the rest, and Captain Whittingham lost his
Staff post. But General Whitelocke appointed him his
extra aide-de-camp without delay, and ever afterwards
treated him with kindness, and with a flattering appre-
ciation of his abilities.'
' 16#/i June. ... At five, we were going to sit down
to dinner at General Whitelocke's, when a flag of truce
arrived. It proved to be an aide-de-camp of General
Liniers, a captain of hussars, named Don Pedro Joseph
de Pendo. He came to propose an exchange of pri-
soners . . . General Whitelocke rejected the proposal
altogether. He [the captain] was invited to dinner ; and
in the course of the evening, the General desired him
to say to General Liniers that he could not, after the
abusive letters which had been addressed to his prede-
cessor [Sir Samuel Achmuty], enter into any correspond-
ence whatever.'
On the 18th June, the order of battle was given out to
the troops as follows : —
In the first line Brigadier-General Achmuty was to
command the left Brigade, consisting of the 5th, 87th, and
28th Eegiments of Foot ; Brigadier-General Lumley was
given the command of the centre, composed of the 36th
and 88th Foot, and a part of the 17th Light Dragoons dis-
mounted. To the right Brigade, commanded by Briga-
dier-General Craufurd, were attached the 95th Eegiment,
and the Light Battalion.
The right of the first line was to be supported by two
batteries of artillery of six guns each.
The second line, or reserve, was supported on its left
flank by a six-gun battery. Then came, successively, the
9th Light Dragoons on foot, the 45tli and 40th Eegi-
ments, the 6th Dragoon Guards on foot, and finally the
remainder of the 17th Lig^t Dragoons mounted.
The whole force considerably exceeded 10,000 officers,
A FLATTERING OFFEE, DECLINED. 13
non-commissioned officers, and men, from which might be
deducted about 400 sick, and less than 50 absent.
Tlie embarkation at Montevideo was successfully carried
out ; and the landing, ' a little to the westward of Barra-
gan,' which began at ten a.m. on the 28th June, was
effected without opposition.
Previous to leaving Montevideo (where Colonel Brown
was left in command). General Whitelocke made an offer
to Captain Whittingham, which, however kindly intended,
and however flattering, yet proved how little he understood
the character of his aide-de-camp. The journal records :
— ' He [the General] began by saying that, if my views in
this country were those of pleasure and amusement, he
feared that what he had to propose would not merit my
approbation ; but that, if, on the contrary, my desires and
wishes were to render myself useful to my country, and to
make unto myself a name, he thought he had an opportu-
nity of placing me in a situation of honour, of emolument,
and of much utility to the public good.'
' In a word, he wished to make me a sort of command-
ant, and to place under my care the police of Buenos Ayres,
and of all the surrounding country, giving me the direction
and control of all the force, whether native or English, that
should be employed for that purpose. He did not entirely
explain himself on this head, but as far as I understood him,
he intended to appoint one officer under me, and he wished
me to recommend another. Under the direction of the
first the military branch might be immediately placed;
under the orders of the second, the civil branch ; both, of
course, to be immediately under my command. Soon after-
wards Major-General Gower repeated nearly the same offer.
I told them both and more particularly General White-
locke, that I could not sufficiently express my gratitude
for the confidence with which he was pleased to honour
me ; that T felt highly honoured by the offer he had
made me : but that, as he had condescended to enquire
14 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
into my views and wislies as a soldier, I hoped he would
excuse tlie liberty I took in stating that, if the employ-
ment he intended to confer on me must of necessity
confine me to Buenos Ayres, and prevent my following
the army to the field, I should feel myself called upon to
refuse it, if left by him a right of election. " For, sir,"
I added, " I would rather be a common hussar in the
outposts in an active campaign than enjoy the most
honourable and the most lucrative situation which should
deprive me of the chance of seeing service." I had the
satisfaction of finding my sentiments were not disap-
proved of.'
In his journal of the 3rd July, Captain Whittingham
narrates the first of the most important faults made by
his kind but inefficient commander : — ' It appeared that
General Gower had passed the Eichuelo [rivulet] the
day before at the Paso Chico, had fallen in with the
enemy's advanced guard at the Miserere, and had taken
nine pieces of cannon and a howitzer. This trifling ad-
vantage unfortunately changed the original plan of at-
tack ; which was to have gained the north-west side of
the town, and to have taken up a position from the
Eicoleta to the Plaza de los Toros. From this com-
manding situation it would have been in the General's
power to have laid the town in ashes, or to have dictated
to the inhabitants the terms of a capitulation. It was
now determined to attack the town fi:om our present
position, which was behind it, upon a line nearly parallel
to the bank of the river.'
' ^th July. — I was sent with a flag of truce to ofier
terms to General Liniers. They were refused, and the
attack was ordered for the next day.'
He then gives in his journal all the orders for the
attack in great detail. The chief mistake was the division
of the troops into many separate columns, too distant to
support each other, and having to penetrate narrow streets,
GENEEAL WIIITELOCKE'S ERRORS. 15
the windows and housetops of which were crowded with
armed mihtiamen. The troops were ordered to ad-
vance to the proposed point of union or post which they
were to reach, not only without firing, but also un-
loaded. The wisdom of the latter part of this order at
least may be doubted, but the General was acquitted at
his court-martial of all blame in this respect; and this
acquittal of part of one charge was the only exception to
the universal verdict of guilty, on four charges. The
words of the order in question were ' The whole to he un-
loaded^ and no firing to he admitted on any account ; ' an
order not calculated to encourage troops exposed to mur-
derous street-firing, and not sanctioned by the example of
more recent times in Paris and elsewhere.
' bth July. — The signal agreed upon was made at thirty-
five minutes past six. The Commander-in-Chief was
stationed in the rear of one of the centre streets. The
fire was very heavy, but more particularly on the left. In
consequence of having observed some considerable bodies
of the enemy's cavalry hovering about, I was sent to
reconnoitre them with ten dragoons and a small body of
infantry. I was joined soon after by Colonel Torrens,
and we pushed our reconnoissance to some miles distance.
However, in spite of every stratagem we could make use
of, we could never get the enemy to stand the charge,
though their numbers exceeded at one time 200. The
dragoons came up with them once, and despatched ^yq
in less than as many minutes. On our return we found
that the Carabineers had advanced up the centre street to
take some guns, and that they had behaved with great gal-
lantry, though they had not succeeded. Colonel Kington
was wounded and taken prisoner, and Captain Burril
killed. The 9th Dragoons had got into much confusion,
and had lost some men. No account whatever had been
received from either wing, and all communication with
the right and left was entirely cut off. A little before
16 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
three o'clock, General Whitelocke began to be uneasy at
having heard nothing from Sir Samuel Achmutyj or from
Brigadier-General [Eobert] Craufurd, and [General White-
locke] said that, although it was a service that he would
not press upon any man, yet he should feel himself infi-
nitely obliged to any of his staff' who would undertake to
penetrate to the Plaza de los Toros, and find out the state
of Sir Samuel [Achmuty] and his Brigade. I immediately
said I should be most happy to have an opportunity of
rendering myself useful, and at three o'clock I marched off"
with a sergeant and ten dragoons, and thirty infantry. I
neglected no precaution as to the proper distribution of
my little force. The whole country about Buenos Ayres
is intersected with hedges. I divided the infantry into
two separate bodies, to act as flankers, one on each side
of the road ; and I had, moreover, a corporal and two
mounted dragoons as an advanced guard, and two private
dragoons at some distance as a rear guard. I had good
reason to be satisfied with having taken these necessary
precautions, for our whole route was one continual skir-
mish, and the enemy was constantly on the watch to sur-
prise us.
' Captain John Brown, J.D. and A.D.C., joined me, as
a volunteer. My directions for finding the Plaza de los
Toros were to keep the Eicoleta on my left, and whenever
this church should bear nearly west, the Plaza de los
Toros would be nearly east. Notwithstanding, when we
got within about a mile, being desirous to come to it by
the most private road, I ordered the flankers, instead of
firing upon the next armed people they should meet with,
to endeavour to make tliem prisoners. They presently
brought me three, and I gave them to understand that, if
they wished to avoid the gallows, they must take care to
conduct me safely to the Plaza de los Toros ; where, in
fact, I arrived after a marcli of one hour and a half
' I found Sir Samuel Achmuty in complete possession of
RETURNS TO HEAD-QUARTERS FOR AID. 17
the Plaza de los Toros. He had taken thirty-three pieces
of cannon, an immense quantity of ammunition, and 607
prisoners. The slaughter of the enemy had been con-
siderable. Sir Samuel had under his command ... his
own brigade, which had suffered considerably, and the
36th Eegiment, which had joined him, under General
Lumley. The 88th Eegiment, which formed part of
General Lumley's brigade, was missing. The communica-
tion with the navy was opened. Sir Samuel expressed
his desire that the Commander-in-Chief should, if he
thought proper, effect a junction with him without loss of
time with all the force [which] he could draw from the
centre. But, at all events, he requested that some artil-
lerymen might be sent immediately to work the guns
which had fallen into his possession. As it appeared of
importance to communicate Sir Samuel's report as soon
as possible to the Commander-in-Chief, I left the infantry
at the Plaza de los Toros, and effected my retreat with
the dragoons. I got to head-quarters in less than an hour,
and, in consequence of my report, eighteen artillerymen
were forthwith sent to Sir Samuel.
' We were still ignorant of the fate of General Crau-
furd's brigade, and of [that] of the 45th ; and that of the
88th Eegiment appeared very doubtful. It was very ne-
cessary that the General should know as soon as possible
the state of affairs on the right, and I again volunteered
my services to penetrate to the position which General
Craufurd might be in possession of.'
' ^th July. — At daybreak I was on horseback. My in-
structions were to make about one mile southing, and
then three miles easting. At the moment of my depar-
ture, one of the Peones * arrived with the intelligence that
Colonel Mahon had passed the bridge with the column
under his command of the 40th Eegiment, the 17th Light
* Native scouts or spies.
C
18 MEMOIK OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Dragoons dismounted, two companies of the 45tli Eegi-
ment, and one hundred men of the 88th, and waited for
further orders.
' Colonel Mahon had been left at La Eeduction, with
the above-mentioned force, to act according to the orders
he might subsequently receive. A letter had been sent
to him to advance, but he had not received it, and had
passed the bridge [only] in consequence of the firing he
heard, and as concluding naturally that he should, at all
events, make his force more disposable, by getting rid, as
soon as possible, of the obstacle of the bridge.
' With the usual precautions, I advanced within half a
mile of the Eesidencia, when, finding the enemy's parties
falling back on the same point, and collecting in great
numbers, I thought it right to endeavour to communicate
to Colonel Mahon the order to advance to head-quarters,
before I attempted to force the road to the Eesidencia.
I inchned, therefore, to the right, and in about half an
hour fell in with the advanced pickets, and waited upon
the Colonel at his head-quarters. With Colonel Mahon,
I left the party of thirty infantry I had brought with me,
and received in return 100 men of the 40th Eegiment,
under the command of Captain Gilles. A little after one
o'clock, I joined Majors Mcols and Tolly at the Eesidencia.
Major Mcols had under his command seven companies of
the 45th Eegiment.
'Major Tolly, of the 71st Eegiment, who was one of
the prisoners under General Beresford's capitulation, but
had made his escape, led this column on the day of attack,
and had taken possession of the Eesidencia with the loss
of only seven men. They had had no communication with
General Craufurd. On the morning of the attack, an
English flag had been seen flying about 700 or 800 yards
in advance towards the north-west, or [the] direction
where General Craufurd was expected to be. At three
o'clock p.m. of the same day, it was struck.' (An almost
SUCCESSFUL CHARGE OF MAJOR NICOLS. 19
sure proof of the surrender of that brigade and of its most
gallant leader.)
* Colonel Gerard, of the 45 th, had advanced with his
company of grenadiers, soon after his regiment had taken
possession of the Eesidencia, to endeavour to open a com-
munication with General Craufurd, and had been seen no
more. Whilst we were in conversation on the top of the
building, a cannon-shot went over our heads ; the guns
were advancing up the street. In a moment, Major
Nicols was at the head of his men, and in less than five
minutes a howitzer, with the timbers, was in our posses-
sion. Major Mcols and Major Tolly having given it as
their opinion that it would be in vain for a small force to
attempt to penetrate in search of General Craufurd, and
that a large force could not be spared without risking the
safety of the Eesidencia, we were constrained to give up
all hopes of opening a communication with the Light
Brigade ; and at four o'clock p.m. I began my retreat.
' At seven o'clock p.m. I arrived at head-quarters, with-
out having lost a man; a little skirmishing had taken place
on the road, and the enemy lost two men killed, and two
taken prisoners. I found that the Commander-in-Chief
and Major-General Gower had gone to the left, and that
Colonel Mahon had occupied with his brigade our former
position at the Miserere. I reported to the Colonel the
strength of Majors Tolly and Nicols' position, the abun-
dance of the provisions they had [found] in the convent
and adjacent houses, and the two guns and the howitzer
they had taken ; the proximity of the river, which was not
300 yards distant, and the ease with which a communica-
tion might be opened with the navy. [I added] the want
they had expressed of an artillery officer, and the advan-
tage they would derive from a reinforcement. The Colonel
immediately decided that a reinforcement of 300 men,
under Major Gwyn, should be sent to them next morning,
with an artillery officer.'
c 2
20 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' Ith July. — At daybreak, I was on horseback, to pro-
ceed with a small detachment to the Commander-in-Chief
on the left ; and the party for the support of Majors
Tolly and Mcols was already paraded, when a flag of
truce arrived with orders from General Whitelocke to
suspend all hostilities till further orders !
' At nine o'clock, I joined General Whitelocke, and re-
ported upon the state of the Eesidencia, Colonel Mahon's
Brigade, &c. I then learned to my infinite sorrow that
soon after my departure a flag of truce had arrived from
General Liniers to inform the Commander-in-Chief of
the capture of General Craufurd, Colonel Duff,* Colonel
Gerard, Colonel Pack, and Colonel Cadogan, together
with the 95th, the Light Battalion, and the 88th; and to
offer all the English prisoners in South America to return
if the General would agree to evacuate the territory of
Buenos Ayres in ten days, and the river Plate in the
course of two months. This offer was rejected without
hesitation. The flag of truce was sent back, and the Com-
mander-in-Chief and Major-General Gower repaired with-
out loss of time to the Plaza de los Toros.
' On my return from Sir Samuel Achmuty on the even-
ing of the 5th, I had reported the position of the Plaza de
los Toros to be extremely good ; that from it we might
lay the town in ashes ; that no force the enemy could
bring forward would ever be able to take it from us ; that
the head-quarters of the army might be established in
the Eicoleta, a short distance to the rear ; that a few
mounted dragoons would clear the country . . . and,
consequently, ensure our Peones being able to supply the
camp with beef; and that, finally, our communication
with the navy being opened, we should be enabled to ob-
tain an ample supply of salt provisions, biscuit and spirits.
* Younger son of the Earl of Fife and afterwards General the Honour-
able Sir Alexander Duff. He was brother to the gallant Lord Macduff
and father of the present Earl of Fife.
A DISGRACEFUL TREATY. 21
'When the two generals came to the Plaza de los
Toros, Major-General Gower's opinion of the position by
no means coincided with my report, and I understand he
expressed himself so strongly as to say that nothing more
could be done, and that it would be better to accept
General Linier's terms. I have since, however, had the
satisfaction to find my report of the position completely
supported, in all its extent^ by the Chief Engineer, Cap-
tain Squire, and the commanding officer of Artillery,
Captain Fraser.
' On the morning of the 6th, a very short time after
his arrival at the Plaza de los Toros, Major-General Gower
went himself with a flag of truce to General Liniers, and
agreed upon the preliminaries of the treaty. This took
place about the time I was returning from the Eesidencia.
'At twelve o'clock, the 7th of July, I was sent to Gene-
ral Liniers, who returned with me to wait on General
Whitelocke. The preliminaries were finally agreed upon.
In the evening, English and Spanish patrols of cavalry
were established in the town. It was determined that the
Eesidencia and Miserere should be evacuated, and that all
the troops should reunite at the Plaza de los Toros. At
eight p.m. the treaty arrived, signed by General Liniers.
General Whitelocke signed it the same evening, and
Admiral Murray the next day.'
The journal of Captain Whittingham contains many
pages of sharp criticism and of indignant commentaries on
the facts which led to this shameful surrender, which will
not be dwelt on in this Memoir. One passage, however,
is here given ; and this chapter will conclude with a few
more extracts from the journal, personally concerning its
writer.
' {1th July.) — History will record, and posterity with
difficulty will believe, that such an army as oiu"s capitu-
lated with the rabble of a South American town, and sold
the interests of the country, and gave up the hard-earned
22 MEMOIR OV SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
conquests of their brother soldiers, in order to secure a
retreat which it was most amply in their power to have
made at their good pleasure ; or, at best, to procure that
Hberty for their countrymen which under such circum-
stances was scarcely worth their acceptance. But enough
of this subject. I am sick of it! Would to God the
waters of Oblivion were as near at hand as are those of
La Plata ! '
'11th July. — Generals Whitelocke and Lumley, with
their staff, dined with General Liniers at the fort. The
dinner was excellent, and veiy well served. "God save
the King " was played, and the healths of the Kings of
England and Spain drunk. The meeting went off as well
as the nature of the affair could admit, and certainly no-
thing could exceed the modesty and propriety of General
Liniers's behaviour . . . Liniers is an emigrant, an ex-
Baron, and a ci-devant captain of a ship of the line in the
French Navy/
'12th July. — I waited upon General Liniers for the last
time relative to the hostages. They are three volunteers
— Captains Stanhope, 6th Dragoon Guards, Carroll,
88th Eegiment, and Hamilton, 5th Eegiment
At two o'clock, [I] got on board the "Aurora" packet.
We went under the stern of the "Nereide," and, having
received the General's final instructions, made sail for
Montevideo.
'lAth July [Montevideo]. — I cannot express what I
have felt this morning, at having been informed by
Brown, Blake, and Forster, that upon many of the corners
of the streets was written, " General Whitelocke is either
a coward or a traitor ! Perhaps both ! "
' All the English merchants are in an uproar. They
say their losses \^11 be immense ; that upwards of three
millions worth of property is on its way to this country,
and that, if it is given up, half the merchants in England
will be ruined. God knows what will be the result of this
CIVIC COMPLIMENTS TO GENERAL WHITELOCKE. 23
most unfortunate affair. It appears to me one of the most
severe blows that England has ever received,'
' Ibth [Jw/y]. — Lieutenant-General Whitelocke landed
about seven o'clock a.m. [at Montevideo].'
By a return written by Captain Whittingham, but evi-
dently copied from the official one, dated 5th July, 1807,
there w^ere 16 officers killed at the attack on Buenos
Ayres, and 56 wounded ; and of non-commissioned offi-
cers and men, 289 killed, and 592 wounded; 207 was the
total amount of the missing.
The following extract from the journal is inserted from
a feeling of justice and compassion to poor General
Whitelocke, since many a man unfit for the trying post
of a military commander in war may yet be excellent in
other positions, and worthy of love and regard.
' 17^A July, — The head of the Cavildo* waited upon
the General, to request he would sign certain papers rela-
tive to their justification, which the General promised to
do. The head of the Cavildo begged leave to return his
most sincere thanks to General Whitelocke for the honour-
able and generous treatment [which] the magistrates and
people of Montevideo had experienced at his hands, and
at those of his predecessors. He added that he was well
aware that under the mild and benign influence of the
British government alone could they have hoped to meet
with such strict and impartial justice, tempered with
mercy. He spoke of the mob of Buenos Ayres in much
the same terms as I have done heretofore,f and seemed
to think the period of a revolution not far distant.'
Before dismissing the subject of the Buenos Ayres ex-
pedition, it must be stated that the journal of Captain
Whittingham contains a long and interesting conversation
that he had on the 26th July, at Montevideo, with Cap-
tain Cormero, the aide-de-camp of General Liniers; or
* Local governing council of Montevideo.
t In a part of his journal not published in this work.
24 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
rather, it was the questions of the Englishman that drew
out the information from the Spaniard. Captain Cormero
(at the hospitable table of Captain Squire) appears to have
been very frank in his communications. They were of a
nature completely to confirm and verify the criticisms
which had previously been entered in Captain Whitting-
ham's journal ; though also imparting much new and valu-
able information. One only of the answers will be here
inserted.
' In possession,' said Captain Cormero, ' as you were, of
the two important posts of La Plaza de los Toros, and
the Eesidencia, we were convinced from the very instant
that you indicated a wish to treat of a capitulation that
your General must have been influenced by the tenor of
his instructions, which, we conceive, must have directed
him, in the most positive manner, to avoid all harsh mea-
sures with the inhabitants of South America. In no
other way could we account for his conduct ; though we
had no idea at that time that the whole British force had
ever exceeded 5,000 men, including all the losses in killed,
wounded, and prisoners, sustained in the attack of the 5th.'
Captain Whittingham was eager to leave Buenos Ayres,
and return to England. He had lost his paid Staff ap-
pointment, and was only an extra aide-de-camp to a Gene-
ral going home. He wished to obtain some new appoint-
ment, or, faihng that, to rejoin the 13th Light Dragoons.
Accordingly, having obtained leave from the General, and
a passage from the Admiral, and taken leave of both those
functionaries, he sailed from Montevideo for England, on
the 30th July, 1807.
Whilst on the Staff of General Whitelocke, in South
America, Captain Whittingham contracted many durable
friendships amongst his brother officers, and more espe-
cially with Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Torrens, and Lieu-
tenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan. The
former was destined soon to become the military secretary
GENERAL WHITELOCKE'S TRIAL. 25
of His Eoyal Highness the Duke of York, and under the
name of Sir Henry Tor reus to acquire a reputation at the
Horse Guards, honoured and respected in the army ; the
latter, a younger son of the Earl of Cadogan, gallant, chi-
valrous, and generous-minded, was destined to an early,
but glorious, death, whilst leading his regiment to victory
under the great captain of the age. But before this sad
event was to occur, Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan and Cap-
tain Whittingham were to renew their friendship in the
Peninsular War, although their meetings there were to be
brief and rare. The letters of Cadogan have not reached
the author's hands. It is possible that they may have
been returned to his friends at his death, although of this
there is no proof. Fortunately, two copies of letters written
to him by Captain Whittingham have been preserved, and
will appear in their proper places. It is enough here to
say that they give sufficient proof of a warm and almost
romantic affection, rarely to be met with in these calm and
civilized days.
It is probable that Captain Whittingham divided the
few months that he remained in England (which were not
occupied with the long trial of General Whitelocke) in
doing duty with the 13th Light Dragoons, in which he
was a captain, and in visiting his sister and brother-in-law.
The famous court-martial commenced its proceedings on
the 28th of January, 1808, at the Eoyal Hospital, Chelsea,
under the presidency of Sir William Meadows, K.B.
Captain Whittingham was one of the most important
witnesses ; and to him (from the uniform kindness which
he had received from the unfortunate prisoner) the task
he was compelled to perform must have been truly painful
to his feelings. The trial lasted till the 18th of March ;
about six weeks from which time Captain Whittingham
re-embarked for foreign service, having obtained a new
Staff appointment.
General Whitelocke was tried on four long charges,
26 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
most of tliem implying want of judgment and of capa-
city. The third charge was the most disgraceful, accusing
him of being wanting in personal exertion, in a manner
that appeared to comprehend a still graver charge, which
it is needless to specify. The prisoner was sentenced to
be ' cashiered,' and was declared to be ' wholly unfit and
unworthy to serve His Majesty in any military capacity
whatever.'
Short as was the time that Captain Whittingham had
at his command, during his present stay in England, it is
certain that he then had the high honour of attracting
the notice of that great admirer of military merit, and
indeed of all merit. His Eoyal Highness the Duke of
Kent. This was, no doubt, due to the reputation which
Captain Whittingham had acquired by the publication of
his (and other corroborative) evidence on Whitelocke's
court-martial.
The first of the following two letters was written by
General Eobert Craufurd, one of the best and bravest of
soldiers, who was afterwards mortally wounded at the
siege of Ciudad Eodrigo on the 19th January, 1812, and
died on the 24th of the same month.
The date of the note, unfortunately, does not fix the
time ; but it must have been in the autumn of 1807 : —
Brigadier- General Robert Craufurd to Captain Samford
Whittingham,
* MiCKLEHAM, Sunday evening [1807].
' My dear Whittingham, — A visit from a brother, whom
I have not seen for a long time, and who can only pass
two days with me, and some other circumstances, have
occasioned my deferring this answer to your last letter,
in which you expressed a desire that I would write to
Gordon.* You may perfectly depend upon my sending
* Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, Military Secretary at the Horse Guards,
afterwards for very many years Quartermaster-General of the army, as Si
Willoughby Gordon, G.C.B., and who survived to an extreme old age.
TESTLMONY OF GENERAL ROBERT CRAUFURD. 27
you, by to-morrow's post, a letter both to him and to
General Brownrigg ; and I beg you to be assured that to
have an opportunity [of] expressing the very high opinion
which I entertain of your military merit, or of proving
my very sincere personal regard and friendship for you,
will ever afford me the most real pleasure and gratifi-
cation.
' Believe me always, your sincere friend,
' Egbert Craufurd.
' [P.S.] — I hope my letters will not arrive too late. If
you have not been with Gordon or Brownrigg, Tuesday
will, I suppose, be as good a day as Monday. At any rate,
pray send my letters to them if you do not get them in
time to deliver them in person.'
Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon to Eichard Hart Davis,
Esq. M.P,
' Horse Guaeds, SOth Septemhery 1807.
* Sir, — ^I have the pleasure of your letter of yesterday,
with its enclosures, which I will give to Mr. Murdoch as
soon as he comes to town.
' It has given me great satisfaction promoting the views
of Captain Whittingham, of whose good conduct every
officer under whom he has served speaks in the highest
praise. I remain, with great truth, sir,
' Your faithful servant,
' J. W. Gordon.
' Richard Hart Davis, Esq. M J*.
' Clifton; Bristol.'
28 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE III.
1808.
APPOINTED TO THE STAFE OF THE ARMY IN SICILY — TAKES LEAVE OF
THE DTTKE OF KENT — ARRIVES AT GIBRALTAR — ACTS AS MILITARY SE-
CRETARY TO SIR HEW DALRYMPLE— OBTAINS LEAVE TO JOIN GENERAL
CASTANOS AS A VOLUNTEER — HIS BROTHER IN-LAW's LETTER OF ADVICE
—HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE STAFF OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY — HIS
* RECOLLECTIONS ' OF THE BATTLE OF BAYLEN—CASTANOS' GENEROUS
SPEECH TO DUPONT — THE FIRST ENGLISHMAN WHO FOUGHT IN THE
PENINSULAR WAR — SHARED IN THE VICTORY BY JOINING LA PENA'S
ADVANCED GUARD — INTERVIEW WITH LORD COLLINGWOOD — WITH THE
TRAITOR LA MORLA — SCENE AT SEVILLE IN THE JUNTA SUPREMA —
CASTANOS' PATRIOTISM — WHITTINGHA.M MADE COLONEL OF HORSE —
THE englishman's FALL — THE DUKE OF YORK'S PRESENT TO CASTANOS
■ — COLONEL WHITTINGHAM's LETTER TO HONOURABLE HENRY CADOGAN —
HIS PROPHETIC ANTICIPATIONS OF SPANISH FAILURES — DON SANTIAGO
WHITTINGHAM — FEVER AT TUDELA — A NEARLY SMOTHERED MEDICO —
DISGRACE OF CASTANOS AFTER DEFEAT OF TUDELA — AN f/NDISTIN-
GUISHED RELATIVE OF THE EMPRESS EUG:&NIE — EFFECTIVE SPEECH TO
A SPANISH MOB ^WHEN THE ENGLISHMAN SAYS IT^ IT MUST BE
TRUE ' — THINGS MORE AGREEABLE AS RECOLLECTIONS THAN WHEN
ACTUALLY OCCURRING — DUKE OF INFANTADO SENDS COLONEL WHIT-
TINGHAM ON A MISSION TO SEVILLE — GLOOMY ASPECT OF AFFAIRS IN
THE ABSENCE OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY — FIRST MEETING WITH
LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK.
Caftaust WHiTTmoHAM was appointed in the spring of
1808 Deputy- Assistant-Quartermaster-General on the Staff
of the army in Sicily. This was a post not at all to
his taste, for he conceived himself much better fitted by
his antecedents for service in South America ; to which it
was then believed that another expedition was soon to be
despatched, to recover lost prestige by new and better or-
ganized plans. In 1806 his brother-in-law had been
elected member for Colchester, and he was no longer in
the friendless state in which he had entered the army ;
TAKES LEAVE OF THE, DUKE OP KENT. 29
whilst his conduct at Buenos Ayres had gained him some
friends, who were attracted to him both by his mihtary
merits and by his agreeable manners.
Captain Whittingham to Richard Hart Davis,
Esq. M.P.
(Extract.)*
' Sunday morning [probably April 1808].
' I dined yesterday with Colonel Gordon, who received
me in the kindest manner. He has promised to endea-
vour to procure me a passage in a frigate which will sail
in a few days. To-morrow I go to the Duke of Kent's,
and from thence to Eulham, so that I shall not be able
to see you. Tuesday I am to see the Duke of York and
Colonel Gordon. But I will not fail to call upon you
previously to my going to the Horse Guards.'
As Captain Whittingham had no official connection
whatever with His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Kent, his
going to take leave of that Prince previously to embarking
for foreign service is a proof of the favour he enjoyed in
that quarter. Then, doubtless, was arranged that corre-
spondence the existence of which will be proved; although
the letters themselves, with one exception, are unfortu-
nately lost or mislaid. This correspondence was a great
and valuable tribute to the merit of a captain of brief
standing in the army, and possessed of neither military
nor aristocratic connections.
Captain Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
' Portsmouth, 28?!^ April, 1808.
' General Cake's aide-de camp has just been here to an-
nounce that we weigh anchor at eight o'clock to-morrow
morning. I shall not, therefore, be able to receive your
* As nearly all the letters in this work from Samford Whittingham to
his brother-in-law, Mr. Davis, will he extracts, the word extract will be
omitted in future in such letters.
30 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
letter of to-morrow. There seems to be a strange kind of
predestination in my going to the Mediterranean ; and a
soldier is more particularly bound to believe that whatever
is, is right. It is to me most grievous to think that all my
hopes of being once more employed where best I could
have served my country are done away with. The die is
cast, however, and there is no remedy. For as to my re-
call from Sicily to join the army in South America after
the affair is over, I cannot even wish it. For that would
be completely reducing one to the situation of a civil agent,
whose knowledge of the language might be considered
convenient. '
Captain Whittingham, however, sailed without effecting
his object of a change of destination. After his arrival at
Gibraltar, (where, as in duty bound, he waited on the
Governor, Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple,) he
wrote on the 2nd June : — ' You will see by the enclosed
letter for Mr. Murdoch the present state of things, and will
judge of the heavy heart with which I shall, in a few days,
embark for Sicily. When you have read it, have the good-
ness to send it to him. I have seen Maitland. He is well,
and going into Spain with Captain Dalrymple. The King
and Queen of Spain, the Prince of Asturias, and several of
the lirst nobility have been arrested at Bayonne, where
they went to meet Buonaparte, and have been sent into the
interior of France.'
Captain Whittingham, it appears, now acted as Sir Hew's
Mihtary Secretary in the absence of Captain Dalrymple on
leave. He thus discovered that the Governor was in cor-
respondence with Lieutenant-General DonXavier Castaiios,
commanding the Spanish camp near Gibraltar, relative to
the plan of a ]3rojected campaign against the French. He,
therefore, entreated Sir Hew Dalrymple to give him per-
mission to join General Castafios as a volunteer. As his
perfect knowledge of the language and people of Spain
JOINS GENEEAL CASTANOS AS VOLUNTEER. 31
especially fitted him to cement the alliance of the two
nations, the Governor does not appear to have thrown any
difficulties in his way. How delighted this consent made
him, let his own pen demonstrate : —
To his Brother-in-law.
' Gibraltar, Uh June, 1808.
' My dear Davis, — It would be in vain to attempt to ex-
press to you the feelings of my heart upon this most
delightful occasion. I feel thankful to God for all things ;
and I bless that fate which has been so singularly pro-
pitious to all my soul's best wishes. This very morning,
my own dear brother, I proceed to San Eoque, to meet the
Spanish General Castaiios, and to accompany him to the
advanced guard of the Spanish army, which is at present
near Ecija. I saw General Castaiios yesterday, and he
was highly pleased at Sir Hew Dalrymple's offer to send
me to remain with him during the campaign. My instruc-
tions from Sir Hew are to send him a faithful and exact
account of the state of the Spanish army, its numbers, its
positions, the marches that may be made, and the battles
that shall take place ! This, of course, during His Majesty's
pleasure ; and I have now only to beg and entreat that you
and my dear Mr. Murdoch will, if Colonel Gordon approve^
use your utmost endeavours with Lord Castlereagh to get
my present appointment from Sir Hew Dalrymple con-
firmed.'
He concludes a long letter by requesting his brother to
get him put on half-pay, if his request could not other-
wise be granted. The reply from the Horse Guards was
long in reaching him, in his opinion; and yet the author-
ities could hardly have answered quicker, or, practically
speaking, in a more flattering manner. But, meantime, he
was exceedingly anxious on the subject. Full of hope,
nevertheless, he joined General Castanos, whose head-
quarters were soon after established at Utiera.
32 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
The following extract from a letter speaks for itself. It
is written with the kindness and in the spirit of an affec-
tionate elder brother : —
Richard Eart Davis, M.P., to Captain Whittingham.
' [London,] V2th Juhj, 1808.
' My dear Samford, . . . Your most welcome letter of
the 5th has come to hand. We share all your feelings in
regard to your appointment . . . Prudence requires that
your communications with Mr. Murdoch and myself should
only embrace transactions that would be interesting to us
in as far as you are personally engaged in them, and not
embracing, as your letters to Government undoubtedly
will, the secrets of the Spanish army, and the general
policy of the country. In short, ours must be an in-
teresting correspondence, because it regards you, but not
as politically regarding Spain. Trust no one with infor-
mation but through the regular channel of Government.
Suspect all men around you ; and depend alone on your
own clear and unbiassed judgment. Inspire enthusiasm in
others ; but do not be led [into] acting by it yourself.
Never push yourself unnecessarily into danger : my caution
shows how ready you will he to meet it* Never send in-
formation home as certain and to be depended on but on
the clearest evidence. Always speak cautiously as to future
events, but without desponding. Eecollect that it i^ a new
system of warfare [that will be required] to make volun-
teers -beat the troops that have conquered all Europe.
Perhaps the Fabian system of delay, though the least
magnanimous, will be of the most efficacy. I want in some
degree to temper your enthusiasm, by suggesting that you
may be uselessly sacrificed by your ardour in leading on
young troops who may be panic-struck, and desert you.
* His relations ever feared that his chivalrous eagerness for distinction
might lead him into acts of rashness.
LETTER OF ADVICE. 33
Excuse this advice which may be, nay, probably is, unneces-
sary, but which the warmest affection for you suggests. You
must, at all events, make up your mind to a long struggle,
if Spain is to be successful ; God grant that she may. If
an early battle is fought, and the Spaniards are defeated,
I fear that it will break the energy of their measures, and
the unanimity of their councils. France has possession of
the government, and the centre of the country, and can
march to any part of the circle, and separate the force that
is forming against her. She has, besides, possession of the
passes into the country, and can, therefore, reinforce her
army to any extent. The salvation of Spain, in my opinion,
will not depend upon her own efforts only, nor on our as-
sistance, powerful as it will be ; but it must be connected
with other hostile movements in other parts of Europe.*
' Be cautious in writing your dispatches. Use your
own short and nervous language. Cultivate the good
will of the Spanish Commander-in-Chief You will be
the link to unite the two armies, nay, perhaps the two
countries ; and to be successful, they must be harmonious.
Besides, what the Spanish commander says of you in his
dispatch will have great weight. 1 am most anxious to hear
of the expected engagement with Dupont. Wellesley has
probably sailed- from Cork with his armament.'
The following letter was not communicated to Captain
Whittingham till some time after the battle of Baylen,
though written more than a fortnight before it : —
Colo7iel J. W. Gordon to Lieutenant-General Sir Hew
Dalrymple.
(Extract.)
^ Horse Guards, 2nd July, 1808.
'Sir, — Captain Whittingham, of the 13th Light Dra-
goons, having been appointed a Deputy-Assistant Quar-
* A true prophecy : for except for the invasion of Russia by Napoleon,
the Peninsula could scarcely have been delivered.
D
34 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
ter master-General to the forces under the command of
Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, I am directed
to acquaint you that Captain Whittingham has the Com-
mander-in-Chief's permission to remain with General Cas-
taiios.'
Had this post been given to Captain Whittingham a
few weeks sooner, he would undoubtedly have joined
Sir Authur Wellesley without delay, and thus have been
attached to that illustrious hero for the rest of the Penin-
sular War. In after years, he often regretted the decision
that he now made to adhere to the career which he
had, in the first instance, embraced mainly to escape pro-
ceeding to Sicily. He would certainly have been spared
many disappointments and mortifications, occasioned by
the misfortunes and misconduct of the Spaniards, if his
service in the Peninsula had all been performed on the
Staff under the eye of the great duke ; and he would
have personally shared in more of his victories. But, on
the other hand, the very subordinate rank he would have
held would have deprived him of the opportunity of dis-
playing the military abihty that he undoubtedly did dis-
play with the Spanish troops, the wretched condition of
which ennobled the task of commanding them by in-
creasing its difficulty. Still less, had he adhered to his
English Staff Captaincy, could he have gained the confi-
dence and respect of Marquis Wellesley, and of Lord
Cowley, or have earned the fiattering praises of an accom-
plished Marshal of France ; all of which advantages fell
to his lot in the service of Spain.
From Sir SamfordJs ^Recollections.'' (Mentioned in the
. Preface,)
' The army of Castanos was composed of 10,000 regu-
lar infantry, 25,000 rabble, twenty-four pieces of horse
artillery, and about 1,500 cavalry. The French force at
KECOLLECTIONS OF BATTLE OF BAYLEN. 35
that time in Andalusia exceeded 25,000 men.* Our first
point of assembly was at Utiera, from whence we ad-
vanced to Baylen in four divisions, [the three first] com-
manded by Major-General Eeding,f Lieutenant-General
the Marquis de Compigny, and Lieutenant-General La
Pena.J The fourth division formed the reserve. Previous
to the memorable battle that took place some days after-
wards, Eeding and Compigny, by a flank movement, got
to the rear of the French position; whilst Castanos, with
two other divisions, attacked it in front. Dupont, in
the battle, committed the fault of successively attacking
the Spanish position at four different points, instead of
concentrating and repeating his efforts upon one and
the same point. The Spanish troops behaved nobly ;
and the Spanish artillery was eminently successful. Vic-
tory, after a hard-fought day, declared for the Spaniards ;
and the French remained prisoners of war. Nothing
could excuse or palliate the conduct of Dupont ; for
he had not only surrendered himself and his army to
a far inferior force, but he obliged General Vedel to
countermarch on his route to Madrid, and to come to
Baylen to be included in the capitulation.' [After describ-
ing how the disgraceful conduct of Dupont was mainly
owing to his desire to save his effects, and the plunder
he had accumulated, the ' Eecollections ' continue :] ' On
the following day, when Dupont advanced at the head of
his Staff to deliver up his sword to General Castaiios, the
Spaniard dismounted, and approaching the carriage in
which Dupont and his Staff were seated, he addressed him
in a kind and consolatory speech : calling his attention
to the inevitable vicissitudes of human life, and attributing
* The French, however, at Baylen had only 17,500 men, including cavalry j
but that number should have easily routed the imdisciplined troops of Cas-
tanos.
t General Reding was a Swiss officer of considerable ability.
X This General was destined, at a later period, to be the involuntary cause
of the greatest mortification that ever befell the subject of this Memoir.
d2
36 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
his victory over one of the most renowned of Napoleon's
generals more to his good fortune than to any superiority
of talent. 17,500 men, of which 3,000 were cavalry,
and a brilliant and numerous train of horse artillery,
filed off before our ragged ranks, and laid down their
arms.'
By joining La Pena, Captain Whittingham shared per-
sonally in this victory, and had thereby the honour of
being the first Englishman who fought for Spain in the
Peninsular War. Two days later, 20th July, 1808, Sir
Arthur Wellesley, having preceded his troops, landed at
Coruiia, from His Majesty's ship ' Crocodile,' commanded
by Captain the Hon. George (afterwards the late Earl)
Cadogan, the younger brother of Lieutenant-Colonel
Cadogan, the intimate friend and correspondent of Captain
Whittingham.
In his ' History of the Consulate and the Empire,' M.
Thiers says : — ' Such was the famous capitulation of
Baylen, the name of which, in our childhood, resounded in
our ears as often as that of Austerlitz or of Jena.' *
In one of his letters to his brother-in-law. Captain
Whittingham writes : — ' General Castaiios deserves the
highest honour for his well-conceived plan, and for the
cool determination with wJiich he carried it into execu-
tion, in spite of all the popular clamours for an immediate
attack upon tlie position of Andujar. The General was so
kind as to allow me to advance with General La Peiia's
division.'
After Baylen, he travelled in various parts of Spain on
General Castanos' missions, who himself, it appears, went
to Seville.
* ' Telle fut cette fameuse capitulation de Baylen, dont le nom, dans notre
enfance, a aiissi souvent retenti a nos oreilles que celui d' Austerlitz ou
d'l^na.'— Vol. i. p. 205.
GENERAL CASTANOS. 37
To his BrotJier-in-law.
' CoKDOVA, Ibth August, 1808.
' You forgot to enclose the note from Sir Thomas
Plumer. I will not attempt to express the delight with
which I have heard Sir Thomas's opinion upon my con-
duct. I will not run into unnecessary danger ; but in the
day of battle I cannot remain at head-quarters. General
Castanos permitted me, with some difficulty, to move with
the advanced guard at the affair of Baylen.' I trust that
he will never refuse his permission in future. It is the
only point upon which I shall differ in opinion with my be-
loved General, whose kindness to me is that of a father to
a son. Charles IV. has lost Spain for ever. He and his
infamous Queen are detested, and the hopes and wishes of
the people are fixed upon Ferdinand VII.
' . . . I have bought four horses, three for riding, and
one as a bat horse ; and a travelling carriage. I have made
upwards of a thousand miles post since the battle of Bay-
len ; and in this country we are obliged to travel with four
horses. A number of little purchases made at Gibraltar
for officers of General Castanos' staff I have requested
them to accept, because even in the veriest trifle at pre-
sent I would wish to see liberality the order of the day..
... On the 29th July, I delivered my letter for you to
Lord Collingwood.* I explained to his Laxdship the rea-
sons which induced General Castanos to grant such favour-
able terms to General Dupont, " namely, the impossibility
of preventing the retreating of General Vedel upon Ma-
drid." In the evening, I waited upon General Morla.f
* ' Lord CoUingwood had not been satisfied with the terms granted to
[General] Vedel. He was not sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances
to understand why an inferior division should have been allowed to capitu-
late after the principal force had been defeated.' — Southey's Petiinsidar War,
vol. i. page 390.
t Don Thomas de Morla, whose treacherous surrender, afterwards, of
Madrid has covered his name with perpetual infamy.
38 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
31st July, I left Cadiz, and on the morning of the 1st
August arrived at Gibraltar. Sir Hew received me with
the greatest kindness. 3rd August, returned to Algeciras ;
5th, to Cadiz ; 6th, went again on board the fleet to see Lord
Colling wood, where I learned the news of the augmen-
tation of the British army of Portugal and the appoint-
ment of Sir Hew Dalrymple to the chief command. In
the evening General Morla informed me that the French
evacuated Madrid on the 31st July. On the 7th, I dined
with Mrs. Gordon, at Xeres, and on the 8th, arrived at
Seville at nine in the -morning.
' I do not conceive I am wanting in my duty by com-
municating to you the very satisfactory conversation I had
with General CastaSos on my return to Seville.' [After
mentioning a number of military arrangements that he
had made in the province, Castanos added,] ' that he had
sent the Chief of his Staff to General Moreno to Madrid,
where he intended to go himself within a few days. The
General then informed me that a battle had been fought in
the neighbourhood of Eio-Seco between General Cuesta
and General Bessieres ; the French force consisted of
15,000 men; the Spaniards, including the army of Galicia,
amounted to 50,000. The Spaniards had no cavalry. The
battle was fought in a plain. The French horse turned the
left wing of the Spanish line ; the defeat was complete ;
5,000 or 6,000 men were killed, and the whole army
dispersed. General Cuesta retreated to Salamanca, and
General Blake, with the army of Galicia, to the frontiers
of that province.
' If I might be allowed to give an opinion upon matters
of such high importance, this battle of Cuesta, evidently
fought without a proper attention to the nature of the
ground, or the composition of the army, will ultimately
tend to much good. In all probability it will lead to
giving the chief conmiand of the whole Spanish army to
General Castanos, who will, I have no doubt, follow up
CASTANOS' PATRIOTIC CONDUCT. 39
the excellent system which he has begun, and prove him-
self the Fabiiis of Spain.'
' 11th August. — I had a long conversation with the
General, relative to the affairs of this Government. It
appears that disputes had run high in the Junta Suprema
of Seville upon the subject of Granada. Count Tilly
threatened that a division of the army of Andalusia should
march against Granada, and force them to obey the orders
of the Junta of Seville. General Castanos then arose from
his seat, and, striking the table with his hand, he said,
" And who is the man that will dare to lead a division of
my army, contrary to my orders ? I do not consider the
army I have the honour to command as the army of An-
dalusia, but as the army of Spain, and never will I stain
the laurels which it has won by suffering it to become the
vile instrument of civil discord. The affairs of Granada
may be amicably and easily settled."
' As soon as the General had done speaking, Don
Vincento Ori stood up, and, taking off his banda, threw it
upon the table, saying that " he would never be a member
of any body where such words as those which he had just
heard from Count Tilly were tolerated."
' The discussion ended by an apology on the part of the
Count for what he had said, and a recantation of his ideas
upon the subject of^civil war.'
For his services at the battle of Baylen, Captain Whit-
tingham was made a Colonel of Cavalry in the Spanish
army by General Castanos, subject to confirmation by the
Junta. Colonel Whittingham, soon after the above letter,
accompanied his beloved and excellent chief to Madrid,
and here we will quote from his manuscript ' EecoUec-
tions :' —
' On our passage through La Mancha to Madrid, I was
taken to the house of a woman, who had obtained great
celebrity by the murder of a number of French soldiers.
In the court-yard of her dwelling, there was a well of very
40 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTmGHAM.
good water, but the rope for drawing it up was very short,
and you were obhged to stoop forward in order to be able
to drink out of the bucket. Whenever an incautious
soldier came to the well, and bent over to drink, she came
behind him, and, seizing him by the legs, tumbled him
into the well. She had, I understood, put eight men to
death in this manner.
' The triumphant march of General Castanos to Madrid
far exceeds my powers of description. On entering the
gates of Atocha, our steps were directed to the chapel to
hear mass. The crowd w^as immense ; and at the church
door, one of the Manolas, a stout handsome young woman,
threw her arms round my neck with such affectionate vio-
lence that down we came at full length together on the
floor, she exclaiming all the while, " God bless the English-
man, the delight of my soul."* The burst of laughter was
not quite in harmony with church gravity, but Castanos
long enjoyed the joke, and the Englishman's fall became a
standing dish at his table.'
To appreciate the joke, the reader must bear in mind
that Colonel Whittingham was about six feet high in his
boots, and stout and broad-shouldered, even more than in
proportion to that stature ; and he was a fine figure in the
dress which he still wore, of Captain of the 13th Light
Dragoons. He was, from early date, however, obliged to
guard against a too great emhoyipoint, and at times lived
very abstemiously for that purpose.
Whilst at Madrid, Captain Whittingham (for so by the
Horse Guards authorities he was still styled) must have
received the letter of which the following is an extract,
and which was found amongst his papers ; —
* Bendito sea el Inglesito de mi alma.
DUKE OF York's present to castanos. 41
Lieutenant- Colonel Gordon to E, II. Davis ^ Esq. M.P.
(Extract.)
' HoKSE Guards, 2^rd August, 1808.
' You may assure Captain Whittingham that his conduct
has given great satisfaction, and that, whenever the rules
of the service admit of it, the Commander-in-Chief will im-
mediately recommend him to the King for promotion.*
He is in the meantime to continue with Castanos, and to
hold his appointment as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-
General to the army, under Sir Hew Dalrymple. It is
perhaps unnecessary for me to repeat to you the high
opinion I have long formed of Captain Whittingham ; but
you may rely upon me for every aid in my power to the
advancement of his interest, convinced that in so doing
I am assisting an officer whose zeal and talents will be
eminently useful to his country.'
A letter from Samford Whittingham to his brother-in-
law, dated Madrid, 2nd September, 1808, concluded with
this commission : — ' On the part of General Castanos, pray
ask Mr. Knight to order one of the machines for making
lint for the use of the army, to be forwarded immediately
to Coruna. Adieu, God bless you. The French have pil-
laged Bilbao. The slaughter has been great.'
This commission for Mr. Knight led to a graceful act
of courtesy on the part of the Duke of York to General
Castanos, which Mr. Knight thus explained in a letter to
Mr. Hart Davis, dated Weymouth, 30th October, 1808 :
— ' 1 accidentally mentioned to the Duke of York the com-
mission of General Castanos, and His Eoyal Highness has
taken advantage of the circumstance and the opportunity
* The Supreme Junta of Seville, by a decree in the name of King Ferdi-
nand VII. of 20th July, 1808, had made Don Santiago Whittingham a
Colonel of Cavalry, ' for the zeal and known valour with which you have
distinguished yourself in the campaign of Andalusia, which terminated
with the glorious battle of Baylen.'
42 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
to pay His Excellency a suitable compliment, by direct-
ing me to accompany the machine with a present from
His Eoyal Highness of a portable medicine chest and com-
plete set of instruments, finished after the manner in which
they are furnished for service, for the Duke's personal use
... I think this is a most handsome trait of the Duke,
and it is like himself.'
It may be easily imagined what pleasure it gave to
Colonel Whittingham to be the first to announce to his
respected and kind chief the coming present from the
Eoyal Commander-in-Chief of the British army.
General Castaiios, whilst at Madrid, despatched Colonel
Whittingham on a special mission, which the latter thus
announced to Mr. Davis in a letter, dated Madrid, 7th
September : — ' I leave this town for Saragossa to-morrow.
General Castaiios sends me to examine into the real effec-
tive forces and condition of the armies of Aragon, Valencia,
and Castile. I shall return with a faithful account of the
state of things to our divisional head-quarters, which are
about to be established at Soria. My old friend and com-
mander, Lieutenant-General La Peiia, commands there,
and is extremely anxious to receive a report on the sub-
ject from me.'
On the 22nd September of this year, Sir Arthur Wel-
lesley, unfortunately for the Peninsula, embarked at
Lisbon to return to England. He arrived in London on
the 6th October. There he was detained by the long
enquiry into the convention of Cintra, and received the
warm thanks of botli Houses of Parliament. It was not
till the 22nd of April, 1809, that he returned to Lisbon.
During his absence occurred the defeat of the Spaniards
under Castanos at Tudela, and the death of Sir John
Moore at Coruna, followed by the abandonment of that
coast of Spain.
In a long letter to Mr. Stuart, the Minister, dated
Madrid, 22nd September, 1808, Colonel Whittingliam
LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE COLONEL CADOGAN. 43
defends the conduct of General Castanos after the battle
of Baylen. The last sentence alone is here quoted : —
' The terms of the treatj^ it is very clear, cannot be
fulfilled. The Spaniards have neither ships, men, nor
money to send these men to France, and by the capitu-
lation they can only be sent home in Spanish vessels
manned by Spaniards. They must, therefore, of neces-
sity remain prisoners in Spain at least for some years.'
Colonel Whittingham to Lieutenant- Colonel the Hon.
Heiiry Cadogan^ list Regiment^ 2nd Battalion.
< Madrid, Qth Octohe)-, 1808.
' My dear Cadogan, — It would be difficult for me to
express the pleasure which I have received from your
truly friendly letter. Believe me, few things in this life
could have given me greater satisfaction. I love to
cherish the hope that you will be with us. We have
much yet to do, and great indeed is the assistance which
we stand in need of. I have been detained in Madrid
longer than I had wished or expected. The proposed
march of the English army to this country has been the
cause of it. Everything is now settled, and to-morrow I
go ofi* to the army. We occupy the right bank of the
Ebro, and the French the left. Their right is at Miranda,
and their left at Milapo. Pampeluna is in their posses-
sion, and the otlier day they again entered Bilbao. They
expect strong reinforcements by the 15th of this month.
Their present force is 45,000 men. The centre of our
army, commanded by General Castanos, occupies Lo-
grono, Calahorra, Corella, Cascarte, and Tarragona. The
left under Blake is at Frias and Orduna. The right,
under Palafox, is at Saragossa, with a detachment ad-
vanced towards Sanguera. Our whole force may amount
to 100,000 men. But at least 30,000 of them are not
yet near the scene of action, having been detained by a
complete want of clothing. Yet there is no time to be
44 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
lost if we mean to attack the French before the arrival
of their reinforcements. The orders to this effect from
government are positive, and I shall probably have to
communicate an account of a general action in less than
ten days. For the first time in my life, my dear Cadogan,
7ny heart misgives me, and forebodes no good. I fear the
result of this action. * The French are concentrated, and
v^e are considerably scattered. Their troops are all equal ;
ours, some bad, and some good. They have the advantage
of unity of command ; we are directed by three generals,
all independent of each other. I trust in God that nothing
will delay the march of the English army to Burgos. It
will be an excellent rallying point for us in case of disaster ;
but no time must be lost. The enthusiasm of the Spaniards
is worthy of their cause, and their bravery such as you
would wish your best friend to possess. But we are not
yet organized ; and as we are now to move in large
bodies, and with combined operations, I cannot help en-
tertaining some doubts of the issue of the first battle. As
I shall probably not have time to write to anyone again
before the action, I pray you, should anything happen to
me, to let Colonel Gordon see this letter. It is not, how-
ever, with one or with twenty battles that Buonaparte
will. conquer Spain. Every town will become another
Saragossa ; and when his brother reigns in Spain, women
and children will be his only subjects. I have General
Castanos' order to join my old commander, General La
Pena. His outposts are generally engaged with the
French, and hitherto the Spaniards have uniformly had
the advantage. When I returned about ten days ago
from a reconnoissance of the line occupied by our troops,
I sent my horses forwards ; so that I have nothing to do
* The Editor lias placed tbese words in italics, as proving that the victory
of Baylen had not blinded the judgment of Colonel Whittingham to the
inferiority of the Spanish to the French troops. The subseqnent constant
defeats of the Spaniards only too well justified his prognostications.
DON SANTIAGO WHITTINGHAM. 45
but to pass into the saddle of a good post-horse, and
hasten to the scene of action. I have a famous stock of
cigars, a pocket- compass, and some excellent horses. So
that, you see, your old friend is well provided for the
campaign. God bless you, and grant that you may soon
be with us.
' Yours ever,
'Samford Whittingham.'
His prophetic anticipations of failure were too soon
realized, and the reputation of General Castanos was
eclipsed on the 23rd of November at the fatal battle
of Tudela. The blame, however, entirely lay with the
Spanish Government. The battle was fought by order
of the Commissioner, whom the Supreme Junta attached
with full powers to the army, and who compelled Cas-
tanos, against his will, to assault the army of Marshal
Victor. But by these remarks we are anticipating, and
must now return to our story.
To his Brother-in-law.
' Head-Quarteks, Calahorra, 30th October, 1808.
' Have the goodness to direct all your letters to me as
follows : —
' " A Don Santiago Whittingham^ Coronel de Cavalleria,
en el Quartel General del Excellentisimo Senor Don
Francisco Xavier de Castanos^ Capitan General y Gene-
ral in Xefe del exercito centro. Adonde se hailed *
' I have paid every trifling debt, and I left Madrid
without owing a shilling to anyone. On the other hand,
my contingent account, w^hich will be paid to me by the
Commissary-General of the British army — at least so Sir
Hew Dalrymple informed me — amounts to 708 dollars ;
* From this time forth, he was usually addressed by his Spanish rank
during the Peninsular War, except in official letters from the authorities in
England, in which he was generally addressed by his rank in the British
46 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
all for expenses of different journeys and messengers on
Government account. My carriage, horses, and personal
expenses, of course, I have paid myself, and should not
think of charging. Doyle has a carte-blanche for his
expenses from Lord Castlereagh. You will see by the
enclosed copy of a commission which I have received
from General Castanos that they have made me a Colonel
of Horse, with full rank and pay. But what I most
esteem is the cause or motive which they state for having
conferred the honour upon me, viz. my good services in
the campaign of Andalusia. As His Eoyal Highness has
approved of the rank given to Doyle, I flatter myself that
he will have no objection to my holding the commission
in the Spanish service. I understand that it is General
Castanos' intention to give me the command of a regiment
of hussars. This will not prevent his continuing me upon
his Staff, and he has appointed me his first aide-de-camp.
In regard to my promotion [in the British service]. Lord
Castlereagh has remitted to General Castanos a very hand-
some letter from His Eoyal Highness the Duke of York,
in which he is pleased to say that His Majesty will be glad
to promote me as soon as I have my standing.' —
On the 6th November, a week after the above letter
was written. Colonel Whittingham was attacked in Tudela
by rheumatic fever, which totally deprived him of the use
of his limbs. He was thus compulsorily absent from the
battle near that town which took place on the 23rd of the
same month ; and was saved the chagrin of witnessing the
defeat of his gallant chief and comrades on that unlucky
day. But let him speak from his ' EecoUections : ' —
' Before the battle of Tudela, I had been attacked by
rheumatic fever, and confined to my bed for many days.
Towards the close of the action, General Graham* called
* From this it would appear that General Graham (afterwards Lord
Lynedoch) was present at the battle of Tudela ; no doubt as a volunteer.
No English troops were then in Spain, and Sir A. Wellesley was in London
giving evidence on the Court of Enquiry regarding the Convention of Cintra.
FEVER AT TUDELA. 47
on me to say that all was lost, and that I must be moved
forthwith, or I should be taken prisoner. As all my
horses were too gay and unsteady for a sick man, the
General had brought one of his own, a strong steady
horse, quite equal to my weight. A pillow was placed
on the saddle, and I was carried downstairs, and lifted
into it. I3ut my sufferings were beyond human endur-
ance ; and after proceeding about three miles to the
village of Ablitas, I was taken off the saddle, and thrown
on a mattress.
' About ten o'clock at night. General Castanos and the
principal officers of his Staff arrived. We had been com-
pletely defeated, were in full retreat upon Cuen9a, and the
French pursuing. The General directed that I should be
carried downstairs, and placed on a mattress in a little
covered cart, which had been secured ; and that, without
a moment's loss of time, I should proceed on the road to
Cuen9a. The whole of my body was at that time so
inflamed with rheumatism that I could only be turned in
bed by lifting up the sheets on which I was extended.
Yet in this dolorous state I was forced to make a journey
of three hundred miles in a cart without springs, in the
depth of winter, and over abominable mountain roads.
' Castanos had kindly directed his principal medical
officer to accompany me to Cuen^a ; and one very cold
morning before daylight. Doctor Turlan (that was his
name) requested that I would permit him to enter the
cart, and share my mattress with him. I readily con-
sented. But we had not proceeded half a mile when the
cart was overturned, and pitched down a precipice. In
the fall, the unfortunate medico got under the mattress,
and as Santiago (S. W.) with his feather weight remained
upon it, the poor doctor was nearly suffocated. His cries
and screeches were quite terrific. " For the love of God,
Seiior Don Santiago," shouted he, " I am stifled, I am
suffocated ! For the love of the most Holy Virgin, I be-
48 MEMOIR or SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
seech you to get up, or I shall die!" " Dearest Turlan,"*
I replied, '' you see that I am totally incapable of move-
ment ; so that, if it should appear that your last hour is
arrived, recommend yourself to God ; for from human aid
you have nothing to expect."
' The arrival of a few straggling soldiers put off the
doctor's evil hour. They dragged me out by the feet,
and again set the cart upright, but nothing could induce
Turlan to re- occupy a share of my mattress.
' On the loss of the battle of Tudela, Castanos was
superseded, and directed to appear at Seville before the
Supreme Junta.*
' The Conde of MontijOj a grandee of the first class,
but a man of infamous character, and a personal enemy
of Castanosj preceded him by some days on the road to
Seville, and spread the report throughout La Mancha
that Castanos was a traitor, and deserved to die. At
Miguel Turra, Castanos was billeted at the house of a
curate, to whose firmness and presence of mind he owed
his life. Deceived by the lies of Montijo, an infuriated
mob assembled before the house of the curate, and de-
manded their victim. But Castaiios had already passed
through the garden by a back door, and had been con-
veyed to a secret spot ; where his horses and servants
were waiting.
' A few weeks after this occurrence, I was sent by the
Duke of Infantado to Seville, and had to pass through
Miguel Turra. An immense crowd was assembled in
the Plaza, and I advanced on horseback into the midst.
They asked, "What news of the traitor Castanos.^" and
I was happy to have an opportunity of speaking on the
subject.
' " Gentlemen," said I, " I am grieved, astonished, and
* Queridisimo Turlan,
t The Junta performed the supersession gently and politely ; pretending-
that they wanted the aid of General Castanos as a counsellor.
EFFECTIVE SPEECH TO A SPANISH MOB. 49
deeply afflicted, to see so many good and worthy men so
easily duped and led astray by the lying inventions of one
of the vilest of men. Castanos commanded the Campo de
Gibraltar before the present struggle commenced. The
French did everything in their power to gain him over to
their party. But he met their intrigues by assembling
the forces of Andalusia, and gaining the battle of Baylen.
I saw 17,500 French soldiers lay down their arms, and
surrender themselves prisoners of war to this very General
Castaiios. He then proceeded to Madrid, and organized
and commanded the army which a superior French force
has now defeated at Tudela. But, be it known unto you,
gentlemen, that the General was obliged to fight this
battle, against his own better judgment, by orders from
the Supreme Junta. For he was well aware that an
army of newly raised levies could ill compete with the
veteran troops of ISFapoleon. This same Castanos, your
best, your most devoted, friend, you, gentlemen, have
wished to murder, because an infamous and lying coward,
for such is Montijo, has fled from the field of battle to
denounce him here." *
' The boldness of my address evidently surprised them.
A murmur of consultation ran through the assembly ;
when a voice from one of the leading men exclaimed,
" When the Englishmaii says so, it must be true.'' f A
tremendous shout of applause confirmed this opinion ;
and I was carried in triumph to my quarters, proud in-
deed of the honour done to my countrymen's integrity by
so impartial a tribunal.'
But many things which are agreeable as 'Eecollections '
* If the conduct of the Count de Montijo was actuated by a partiality
for the French, it has met with an unlooked-for reward to his family, in
the elevation of the fairest and best of the Montijos to the throne of
France.
■j* ' Quando el Ingles lo dice, verdad sera.' No doubt, the fluency with
which the English dragoon officer addressed them in their own language
(by surprising and pleasing the mob of Spaniards) greatly facilitated the
success of this well-timed oration.
E
50 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
are unpleasant enough when actually occurring, as the
following letter, written at the period in question, will
demonstrate : —
' Head-Quarters, Cuen^a, IQth December ^ 1808.
' My dear Davis, — A rheumatic fever attacked me on
the 6th of last month in Tudela, and totally deprived me
of the use of my limbs. I will not now enter into a
detail of my sufferings. My escape was miraculous. In
a covered cart, I have followed the retreat of the army.
My servants were daily obliged to lift me in and out of
the cart. I had no powers of motion, and the pains
which I suffered were intolerable. The army retired to
Calatayud, Siguenza, Guadalaxara, and Cuen^a. Our rear
was warmly pursued by the French. Madrid has capi-
tulated. Buonaparte is now collecting all his force to
attack Sir John Moore. We shall probably soon advance
towards Madrid. I can scarcely hold the pen. Let this
plead in excuse for not writing to Colonel Gordon, to
whom you will please to communicate this letter. I shall
not abandon the Spanish army as long as I consider that
my communications with Mr. Frere can be useful to the
service of my country.'
The prospect of affairs in Spain in the absence of Sir
Arthur Wellesley, and with General Cuesta as chief of the
principal Spanish army, were now gloomy enough to ex-
cite very serious apprehensions of many coming disasters
and defeats.
At some period in 1808, which the Editor is unfortu-
nately unable to particularize, Colonel Whittingham cer-
tainly met Lord William T3entinck for the first time at
Aranjuez^ and assisted his Lordship in certain negotia-
tions with the Spanish Government in that town, for the
fact (as the reader will find) is recorded by him more
than twenty years afterwards, after having, for the third
time, acted officially under that distinguished and excel-
lent nobleman.
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. 51
CHAPTEE IV.
1809.
THE DUKE OE INEANTADO'S COMMISSION — THE DUKE's RETREAT — THE
CHIVALROUS DUKE OF ALBURQUERQUE — SURPRISE OF MORA — AN EX-
CITING CHASE — A FOX-LIKE RUSE — A HORRIBLE INCIDENT — A CUNNINa
COUNTESS — A COMPLETE HUMBUG — A MODEST TESTAMENTARY REQUEST-
LETTER TO MR. J. HOOKHAM FRERE — BAD CONDUCT OF GENERAL URBINA
— HIS DISGRACEFUL ROUT— ALBURQUERQUE's TREATMENT OF TRAITORS —
GALLANT CHARGE OF ALBURQUERQUE AND STAFF AT MEDELLIN — ALAVA'S
HEROISM — REFORMING ROUTED CAVALRY UNFORTUNATELY LOST LETTERS
— ALBURQUERQUE's LAUDATORY LETTERS TO DUKE OF YORK AND LORD
CASTLEREAGH — CONTRADICTORY ORDERS OF SPANISH GOVERNMENT —
LETTERS TO MR. HOOKHAM FRERE — A PROPHECY DESTINED TO SPEEDY
FULFILMENT — GENERAL CUESTA's EARLIEST BRITISH CRITIC — A CONSTANT
SOURCE OF ANNOYANCE — SIR A. WELLESLEY'S RETURN TO THE PENINSULA
— BRIGADIER-GENERAL WHITTINGHAM'S LETTER TO DUKE OF KENT-
HARMONY OF FRERE AND WHITTINGHAM — MARQUIS WELLESLEY's OPINION
OF WHITTINGHAM — DUKE OF KENT's LETTER TO MR. DAVIS CONCERNING
BRIGADIER- GENERAL WHITTINGHAM — LOST ROYAL LETTERS — INTERVIEW
WITH SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY — MEETING OF GENERAL CUESTA AND
SIR A. WELLESLEY — WHITTINGHAM's MISSION TO CUESTA — NARROW ES-
CAPE OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY— HIS REMARKS TO WHITTINGHAM —
COLONEL Roche's letter on talavera — sir a. wellesley's dispatch
— A glaring injustice — A TRUTHFUL COMPARISON.
The commencement of a new year found Colonel Whit-
tingham at Seville recovering his health, having been
sent there by the Duke of Infantado. We continue the
fraternal correspondence : —
To his Brother-in-law.
' Seville, l^th January, 1809.
' I have the pleasure to inform you that my health is
tolerably re-established, and that I shall again set off for
head-quarters in a few days. You axe not to imagine
that I should have quitted the army for anything relative
B 2
52 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
to myself. The Duke of Infantado requested that I would
go to Seville on a particular commission, which, I am
happy to say, I have executed to his satisfaction ; and I
have now no other anxiety but that of again entering the
field of Mars with all possible expedition. I shall enter
into no details upon our late unfortunate campaign, be-
cause I have to remit to Colonel Gordon by the next post
General Castanos' defence of his conduct as laid before
the Supreme Junta.'
To the Same.
' Seville, 20th January, 1809.
' My dear Davis will rejoice to hear that this fine
climate has operated a most favourable change on my
health. I am, thank God, once again fit for the field ;
and I love to flatter myself that fate will throw in my
way some opportunity to distinguish myself.
' 21.9^. — On the 13th and 14th, the advanced guard of
the Duke of Infantado, at Tarancon and Uccles, was at-
tacked by the French in force, and obliged to retire upon
Cuen9a, our head-quarters. For the last three days, we
have received no news from the army. It is sadly to be
lamented that the Duke had not quitted the position of
Cuen^a long since. It was proposed and strongly urged
that the army should immediately advance to Ocaiia and
Toledo as early as the 29th of last month. The advan-
tages of this movement were clearly pointed out,* and
the Duke appeared determined to advance. Cuenga is
in itself a bad position, and the retreat towards Anda-
lusia impracticable, at least for the artillery. Twenty-six
leagues is the distance from Cuen9a to Manzanares, the
first town on the high-road to Seville. The road is so
excessively bad and heavy that I was ten hours making
* By himself, no doubt. All his Spanish commanders appear to have
listened to his counsels ; but few, except the Duke of Alburquerque, fol-
lowed them.
THE CHIVALROUS DUKE OF ALBURQUERQUE. 53
three leagues in a light carriage with five mules, I set
off for the army on Thursday next. My health is quite
re-established. Be assured, my dear Davis, that, however
we may be beat for the present, we shall ultimately drive
the French out of Spain. I cannot tell you with what
delight I look forward to my return to the army. I really
am never quite happy but in active campaign.'
When the Duke of Infantado left Madrid on 2nd De-
cember, 1809, to join the army commanded, since the
departure of Castanos, by Lieutenant-General La Pena,
the latter most generously caused the Duke to be elected
to the chief command. Infantado had been accompanied
from Madrid by the young, patriotic, and chivalrous
Joseph Maria de la Cueva Duke of Alburquerque ;* a
man beloved by his officers and soldiers, and having for
enemies only the baser and meaner of his countrymen,
who were governed by their jealousies or other malignant
passions. If, as was the case with the Spanish nobility
generally, his education had not been neglected, he might
have made a greater figure in history ; and as it was,
he left a name second to none amongst his countrymen
at that period. Colonel Whittingham, from the first,
admired and loved him, and all the more because the
Duke rarely displayed the obstinacy so common amongst
his countrymen, and only required to hear in order to
take good advice. What follows is from the already
quoted ' EecoUections ;' —
' On my return from Seville, I was attached to the
corps d'armee under the Duke of Alburquerque in La
Mancha, w^here we had many affairs of cavalry, as the
Duke had under his command 3,500 horse and two
troops of horse artillery.
' At Mora, the French had a detachment of 600 cavalry.
* In this work the spelling of Spanish names by Colonel Gurwood is
adopted, as that officer took much pains to acquire accuracy in that matter ;
whilst compiling the Wellington Diwatches.
54 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
The Duke advanced to surprise the post with 1,500 horse.
We bivouacked a few miles from their outposts without
being discovered ; and before dayhght we were upon
them. The surprise was complete. They lost 160 men,
and fled at full speed.
' Amongst the foremost of the pursuers was a servant
of mine, a young Irish lad [named Charles], whom I
had dressed up as a hussar. He fixed his eye upon a
well-dressed middle-aged man, well mounted and appa-
rently well fed. Charles was satisfied that he would turn
out a good prize. Both horses were excellent ; and both
were urged to the top of their speed by the pursuer and
the pursued. But my hussar had the advantage of a
lighter weight, and was gaining fast upon his adversary,
when the Frenchman turned round upon his saddle, and
fired a pistol at him ; which was soon followed by a
second shot. Both shots, however, missed their object,
and the old soldier was reduced to his last shift, which
was, however, a good one. Judging from the appear-
ance of his pursuer that his object would be plunder, he
drew a knife from his pocket and cut the straps which
fastened his portmanteau. The portmanteau then fell
to the ground, and Charles immediately reined up, and
secured his prize, which contained a brace of pistols and
a good stock of clothes.
' Amongst the variety of incidents of this exciting day,
an occurrence took place which we all deeply lamented.
A remarkably fine young woman, apparently about seven-
teen or eighteen years of age, was making her escape
from Mora in an open carriage, belonging to the French
General commanding. Some of our cavalry attempted
to arrest her progress. She immediately fired a pistol at
the nearest soldier, and in return received from him a
coup de sabre which almost divided her head from her
body. In a moment she was stripped with that dexterity
pecuHar to soldiers, and her body left on the road.
A CUNNING COUNTESS. 55
' On our return to Mora, we were quartered in the
house of the Countess de , whose previous guest had
been the French General commanding. The enthusiasm
of the lady was beyond description. She thanked the
Blessed Virgin for her miraculous escape from perdition,
and declared her determination to avail herself of the
happy opportunity of returning to the paternal house,
which our arrival afforded. Her gratitude to Heaven
and to us knew no bounds. Orders were immediately
given to pack up all her plate and jewels. A splendid
dinner was prepared by the major-domo. The only
carriage in the place and six mules were employed by
the Duke's order for her conveyance, and the hour of
departure was fixed for four o'clock on the following
morning.
' Our party consisted of the Duke of Alburquerque,
Alava,* and myself. The Duke retired to rest at nine.
But I felt uneasy that our departure should have been
put off till the morning, and I submitted to Alava that it
was always a point of honour with the French to return
a surprise with the least possible delay. [I added] that
their force in cavalry and horse artillery in our immediate
neighbourhood was very considerable ; and that to effect
our* retreat, we must pass through a long and narrow
defile, which commenced at the entrance of Mora, and
that, if attacked during the passage, confusion and com-
plete defeat would be the inevitable consequences, and the
Duke's character as a soldier lost. I proposed, therefore,
that we should awake the Duke, and submit to him the
expediency of our commencing our retreat forthwith.
Alava coincided in my view of our position. We awoke
the General, and orders were immediately given to put
the troops in motion.
* Afterwards General Alava (a favourite of Lord Wellington and on his
personal staff') j eventually Spanish ambassador in Loudon about thirty
years later.
56 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' The chivalrous feehngs of the Duke and of Alava did
not permit their forgetting the perilous position of the
disconsolate Countess. The carriage was ordered to the
door, and her servants were directed to finish the packing
with all expedition. But, alas ! the Countess had fainted ;
and when she came to herself, she broke out into the most
bitter lamentations against her cruel destiny. "Alas!"
she exclaimed, " by this time to-morrow I shall have
ceased to exist. For the French, on their return, will
assuredly put me to death as a traitress and a spy. But,
happen what may, how is it possible that a poor little
delicate thing like me should be able to suffer the priva-
tions, the miseries, the hardships, of a camp follower ?
It cannot be. I am well aware of the cruel death that
awaits me on the return of the'French ; but there is no
remedy, and if my last hour is come, it is better for me to
die in my own house and bed than in the fields ! " A
more complete humbug I never saw! Thus ended a
comedy worthy of Caviilla and Don Rafael; and the
Countess, laughing [secretly] at the simplicity of our
hearts and heads, dedicated herself forthwith to the pre-
paration of an excellent breakfast for the French General
on his return.
' Our accelerated retreat was fortunate. We had
scarcely cleared the defile when our rear-guard was
attacked.'
Thus was the gallant Spanish Duke and his party saved
by the vigilance of their English comrade.*
On the 30th January, 1809, he relates to Mr. Davis the
particulars of the defeat at Uccles of General Venegas,
and adds, ' The Duke of Infantado's want of decision
was the cause of this misfortune.' The Duke had been
repeatedly advised to advance and support Venegas, who
* Doubtless this was one of Samford Whittingham's ' services in the early-
part of the war, the importance of which was passed over or little known,*
—See the Earl of Fife's letter in Preface.
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER-IK-LAW. 57
was sure to be attacked, but took no notice of the warn-
ing. In consequence he was ordered to join General
Urbina, Count of Cartaojal, and to serve under him as
part of the army of the Carohna. This supersession took
place on the 18th February. But General Urbina proved
to be a far worse commander than the Duke he super-
seded, as will be hereafter demonstrated.
To his Brother-in-law.
* Head-Qt7Akters, La Carolina, \2th Fehtiary, 1809.
' The French are advancing against General Cuesta in
force, certainly not less than 20,000 men. Their head-
quarters on the 5th were at Oropesa. Their advanced
posts occupied the bridge of the Arzobispo. General
Cuesta had his head-quarters at Truxillo ; his advanced
posts at the bridge of Almaraz. A division of Portuguese
and English was stationed at Alcantara, a force of from
12,000 to 14,000 men. Cuesta's army is about the same
strength. A part of the French army from Galicia had
directed its march upon Ciudad Eodrigo. On the 5th,
they had arrived at Martin del Eio, distant from Ciudad
Eodrigo ten leagues.
' The moment you cast your eye upon the map, you
will see the danger of General Cuesta's position. Our
advanced guard will march to-night upon Toledo, be sup-
ported by a second division, and followed by the whole
army. The total strength of this army, now called tlie
army of the Carohna, including the remains of the army
of the centre, amounts to nearly 30,000 men. Our move-
ment will call the attention of the French ; and even if
we arrive too late to save General Cuesta, it will prevent
them following up the advantage which they have ob-
tained. I have no comments to make on our probable
success.
' As soon as I receive Mr. [Hookham] Frere's answer,
58 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
I intend to ask General Urbina's leave to join the advanced
guard.*
' Adieu, my dear Davis, and as I once before told you,
if we meet no more on this side of the famous river, don't
forget to drink a glass of your best wine to my memory
once a year.'
To the Same,
' Head-Qxjartees of the Advanced Guard,
' CiTJDAD Real, 13th March, 1809.
' Our head- quarters are changed from Manzanares to
this place, in consequence of the movements of the enemy.
' I cannot account for the long silence of my friends in
England. Your last letter was dated November. Since
that period I have not heard one word from you, or any-
one on that side of the water.' —
There is too much reason to believe that a great num-
ber of letters addressed to Colonel Whittingham, in the
course of the Peninsular War, never reached him. But
at this time, after the departure of the army of Sir John
Moore from Coruiia, and during the prolonged absence
of Sir Arthur Wellesley from Portugal, the means of con-
veying English letters into the interior appears to have
been equally rare and hazardous.
Colonel Whittingham to the Bight Hon. John Uookham
Frere^ H.M.'s Minister in Spain.
^ CiuDAD Real, Head-Quaeters of the
' Advanced Guard, Vlth March, 1809.
' Sir, — The repeated advices of all the confidential
agents employed by the Duke of Alburquerque to watch
the movements of the enemy confirm, beyond the possi-
bihty of doubt, the march of the French towards Talavera,
* This determination, to "be always in front, never slackened. The risk,
with such troops as theSpanish then were, was self-evident.
LETTER TO MR. HOOKIIAM FRERE. 59
and the certainty that the expected attack upon General
Cuesta will immediately take place.
' Our Commander-in-Chief, General Urbina, has re-
jected the proposition of the Duke [of Alburquerque] to
allow him to advance upon Toledo with a division of
12,000 or 15,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, and twenty
pieces of artillery. The General-in-Chief considers the
organization of the main body of the army as an object
of more importance, and the arguments of the Duke to
convince him that this organization would be secured
rather than impeded by his proposed movement have
been of no effect.
You may rest assured, sir, that there is no time to be
lost, and if the Junta Suprema does not come to a speedy
determination, and immediately communicate decisive
orders in consequence, it is sadly to be feared that
General Cuesta will be defeated by the superior force
which he will have to contend with, viz. from 30,000 to
35,000 men.
' You will recollect the effect produced by the expedi-
tion to Mora, and the retrograde movement made by the
French troops in Estremadura in consequence. Surely,
the same arguments which were then made use of by
General Urbina, to induce the Duke of Infantado to con-
sent to the advance of the Duke of Alburquerque, exist
in the present case in even greater force, inasmuch as our
means of offence are greater, and the dispositions of the
enemy to attack General Cuesta more formidable.
' I shall only add that the confidence of the officers and
men in the Duke of Alburquerque affords the best-
founded hopes of the fortunate result of the proposed
expedition.
' I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
'Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
' Samford Whittingham.
60 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
* P.S. — It is scarcely necessary to point out the advan-
tages of the proposed movement, should the fortune
of war favour General Cuesta, and the French be re-
pulsed. The unexpected appearance of the Duke's divi-
sion upon the rear or flank of a defeated enemy would
probably prove as decisive as the combined march of the
columns in the battle of Baylen.
' s. w;
From the Same to the Same.
' C1TJBA.D Keal, Head-Quarters op the
' Advanced Guard, 20th March, 1809.
* Sir, — In consequence of the orders from the Junta
Suprema, the whole of the disposable force of this army
will immediately advance upon Toledo, in order to effect
a diversion in favour of General Cuesta. The Count of
Cartaojal [General Urbina], at the same time that he
communicated this order to tlie Duke of Alburquerque,
directed him to deliver up the command to Brigadier-
General Don Juan Bernuy, and with the division of
Brigadier Don Luis Bapcourt, and that of Don Pedro
Echavari, to march immediately to Guadalupe to co-
operate with the army of Estremadura.
' Thus, at the moment that the plan proposed by the
Duke is about to be executed, he is deprived of the com-
mand of the vanguard, and exposed to risk his military
reputation at the head of a small body of newly raised
"nfantry without cavalry or artillery. It is to be feared
hat the absence of their favourite General may produce
a bad effect upon the troops. At aU events little or nothing
can be expected in favour of General Cuesta from the
small corps entrusted to the command of the Duke.
' I cannot avoid expressing my sentiments with freedom
at this interesting moment. I conceive that the Duke
has fallen a sacrifice to his too great popularity with the
troops ; and I sincerely lament that the army should be
BAD CONDUCT OF GENERAL URBINA. 61
deprived of the valuable military talents of this officer.
It is not to be expected, after what has passed, that
the Duke will accept any command under the Count de
Cartaojal.
' According to the advices received to-day from Sevil-
leja, the French had passed Estrella to attack a division
of the army under the command of General Cuesta, which
occupied the position of Valdevilacasa. It is therefore
very possible that the movement upon Toledo may be
now too late, and should General Cuesta be defeated,
much evil, instead of good, may result from it.
' On the loth of this month, the Duke proposed to the
General-in-Chief to make this diversion in favour of General
Cuesta. At that moment there could be no doubt that
the army of Estremadura would have been saved by our
advance upon Aranjuez and Toledo. At present the result
is doubtful, and may be fatal.
' The Duke begins his march to-morrow towards Gua-
dalupe, and I shall take care to inform you most exactly
of everything that occurs.
' I have, &c. &c.
' Samford Whittingham.'
The contemptible conduct of General Urbina was not
long in bringing deserved retribution upon him, in the
form of a disastrous and crushing defeat, which was fol-
lowed by his supersession in the chief command by General
Venegas : — '
Colonel Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
* Seville, 4^A Aprils 1809.
' You will see by all the enclosed papers the chain of
evils, and the gross misconduct, which have completely
destroyed our well-founded hopes of soon re-occupying
the capital of Spain. General Urbina, Count of Cartao-
jal, has betrayed his country, and fled in disgrace with
62 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry before 2,000 French
horse.
' The Duke of Alburquerque has been sacrificed to the
envy and jealousy of General Urbina. Cuesta has fought
bravely, but unfortunately. I had the pleasure of being
with the Duke in this action [the battle of Medellin]. At
last the eyes of the Junta Suprema are opened. Urbina
is deprived of his command, and the Duke appointed
temporarily to the command of the army of the Carolina.
Things do not look well. But if I can carry the point
which I have in view, viz. that our total force, amounting
to at least 40,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry, shall be
immediately concentrated, I have yet my hopes. If not,
depend upon it, all is lost. We leave this place to-mor-
row at daybreak for the army. We have been here a
few hours to make arrangements with the Government.
Have the goodness to get Mr. Murdoch to translate the
enclosed papers, and lay them before Lord Castlereagh
and Colonel Gordon. I have not heard from you since
January.'
The battle of Medelhn was fought on the 28th March,
1809, and was one of General Cuesta's numerous defeats.
That stupid and obstinate, but very brave and indefati-
gable, old General fought the battle with his usual con-
tempt of tactics and prudence, and yet had nearly won it
by the bravery of the infantry but for the gross miscon-
duct of the Spanish cavalry. Colonel Whittingham, being
attached to the staff of the Duke of Alburquerque's divi-
sion, shared his fortunes on that unfortunate day. We
will now revert to his ' Eecollections :' —
' Previous to the battle of Medellin, the Duke of Albur-
querque was directed to join General Cuesta in Estrema-
dura with two troops of horse artillery and 1,500 cavalry.
On our route we came to a small town which had become
notorious for receiving and concealing deserters. The
alburquerque's treatment of traitors. 63
Alcalde and the Escribano* were deeply implicated, and
the Duke was determined on making an example. They
were, therefore, both laid hold of, and placed in the
grenadier company of a leading battalion ' [to expose these
compulsory soldiers to the greater danger in action]. ' I
saw these men the next day, as we were moving upon the
enemy in column of companies, and their faces are even
at this moment completely before my eyes. I never had
a just idea of the personification of Fear till then. Their
countenances were literally horror-struck ; their hair stood
on end. They recognised me instantly, and, dropping
on their knees, they shouted out, "Mercy, Senor Don
Santiago, for the love of God and of the Holy Virgin,
do not permit this sacrifice ! " But the hard-hearted
Santiago was implored in vain ; and the butt ends of the
soldiers' muskets soon brought them on their feet again.
I never heard what became of them. At the battle of
Medellin the defeat was complete ; and as Victor gave no
quarter, they probably perished with the rest.f
' When everything was lost, and the last battalion
broken and dispersed, the French cavalry formed a chain
in rear of the Spanish troops, and the slaughter com-
menced. The Duke of Alburquerque, Alava, Bigodet,
Nazario Eguia, and Santiago^ with a few orderlies and
servants, formed a little group. The chain was closed
around us. The Duke, turning to me, said, " Santiago,
do you see that smart light dragoon, how vain he is ?
Now, be assured that before two minutes are passed, he
will be under my horse's feet ; " % and putting spurs to
* The Alcalde, and Escribano, may be roughly translated into the Mayor
and Town Clerk.
t This appears like a proof that even the gentle-hearted Duke of Albur-
querque could steel his heart in active service ; but the fact is that, at such
a time, no Spanish General would have ventured to show mercy to traitors.
X These words (written from memory in 1840) slightly differ from those
given by Southey, who at an earlier period doubtless obtained them from the
letters written to Colonel Gordon, the Military Secretary at the Horse
Guards, by the subject of this Memoir.
64 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
his fine Andalusian horse, he charged full speed upon the
chasseur, followed, of course, by all his little party. The
chasseur, being somewhat of FalstafF's school, held pru-
dence to be the better part of valour, and taking ground
rapidly to the right — with half a dozen soldiers who fol-
lowed his salutary example — a hole was left in the chain,
through which we instantly passed at full gallop. The
chase after us was long, but vainly kept up.
' A wounded artilleryman whom we passed called out
to Alava, " Senor Don Miguel, for God's sake, help me,
or I am lost ! I am badly wounded, and you see the
French give no quarter." " Get up behind me," said the
heroic Alava ; " we will both be saved, or both perish
together."
' It was about ten at night when we arrived at a soli-
tary farm-house ; and having made a bonnie fire, and got
a dish of chocolate and a cigar, the Spaniards unanimously
agreed, " The more we lose the more we gain ; the
Body Politic will yet require much blood-letting before
its health can be perfectly restored ! " *
' We lost at Medelhn 14,000 men. An intimate friend
of mine, a colonel of infantry, had two sons with him in
the action. The eldest, under eighteen years of age, was
most severely wounded by the dragoons late in the day.
He was taken to Medellin, and to the quarters of the
Commander-in-Chief, just as Victor was sitting down to
supper ; who graciously informed the young officer of the
fate intended for him by saying, " If my orders had been
executed, you would not have been here ! " '
To his Brother-in-law.
< CoEDOVA, &h April, 1809.
' My dear Davis, — In the actions of the Duke of Albur-
querque in La Mancha, the troops under his command
* 'Quando mas se pierde, mas se gana, y que muchas sangrias eran
menester para restablecer la salud del cuerpo politico ! '
REFORMING ROUTED CAVALRY. 65
were covered with glory. All the officers of his Staff,
including me, were recommended to the Government for
promotion.* In the last unfortunate action of Medellin,
I had an opportunity of particularly distinguishing myself
by reforming the routed cavalry and leading them against
the enemy.f The Duke did me the honour to speak of
my conduct in the field in the highest terms. You are
yourself well aware that since the first shot was fired in
Andalusia, I have been constantly with the army, and
have sought every occasion of rendering myself useful.
Yet I am the only officer to whose promotion the Govern-
ment has objected. The reason is obvious : I was a friend
of the unfortunate Castaiios, and all his friends are per-
secuted.
' I entreat, therefore, that you will immediately apply
to Colonel Gordon for leave to join my regiment. I can
no longer be of service to a country to whose Government
I am become obnoxious, nor am I accustomed tamely to
suffer the insults of any man or class of men.'
To the Right Hon, J. H, Frere.
* Cordova, llth April, 1809.
' Sir, — I observe by your letter of the 7th, which has
been returned to me from the Carolina, that you consider
the Duke [of Alburquerque] in command of that army,
and ready to realize his projected plan of attack against
the French force in La Mancha. I am surprised that the
Junta Suprema should not have informed you that a
division of 7,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry began its
march from the army of Sierra Morena on the 5th, and
* He was afterwards made Brigadier- General by the Spanish Government,
with date from 2nd March, 1809.
t Here, no doubt, is another of those little known actions referred to by
Lord Fife {vide Preface). This passing allusion to his having rallied the
cavalry at Medellin is all the Editor knows on the subject. The lost letters
to the Military Secretaries at the TIorse-Guards might tell more of what
Lord Fife knew.
F
QQ MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
will enter Seville the day after to-morrow. The force
which now composes the army of Sierra Morena consists
of 16,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry, and is commanded
by General Venegas.
' Had the Duke received the command of the army of
Sierra Morena before the separation of the above-mentioned
division, he might have defeated the French force in La
Mancha, and immediately afterwards have reinforced
Cuesta with nearly 10,000 men, by the same route which
we before followed from Ciudad Eeal. At the same time
that I received your letter, Mr. Ovalle communicated to
the Duke the same information ; and yet, previous to
that date. General Yenegas had taken the command
of the army, and the division had already begun its
march, with orders to the commanding officer, Major-
General Count of Orgaz, to report daily to the Minister
of War.
' I have, &c.
' Samford Whittingham.'
Most unfortunately, all Mr. Hookham Frere's letters to
Colonel Whittingham are lost. The above letter proves
how necessary British agents were, from whom alone the
English envoy could obtain reliable information and
active assistance.
There is no doubt that Colonel Whittingham had the
highest esteem for the Duke, as well as affection.* He
had also had cause for gratitude, as will be seen in the
following letter to his brother-in-law : —
' Seville, 17th April, 1809.
' I enclose you two letters from the Duke of Albur-
querque, the one addressed to his Eoyal Highness the
Duke of York, and the other to Lord Castlereagh. I am
* These feelings were shared by Mr. Hookham Frere, and, subsequently,
by Marquis Wellesley.
ALBURQUERQUE'S LAUDATORY LETTERS. 67
proud to receive these recommendations from the Duke,
because as a soldier he stands unrivalled in this country.'
[After detailing the ill-treatment that the Duke received
from General Urbina and the Junta Suprema, he pro-
ceeds :] ' The Duke was further ordered to put himself
at the head of a division of troops destined to march from
the Carolina to the assistance of General Cuesta as soon
as General Venegas should have taken the command of
the army of Sierra Morena.
' Before the Duke joined the army, General Venegas
had taken the command, and we are now on our route
to join General Cuesta at Santa Olalla and Monasterio.
The division commanded by the Duke is composed of
2,500 cavalry and 7,000 infantry.
' General Cuesta's army, after our junction, will exceed
25,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry. The force left in
Sierra Morena under the command of General Venegas is
16,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. In regard to the late'
shameful flight of the army of Sierra Morena from their
cantonments at La Mancha, it is altogether too bad for
description. Suffice it to say that folly, or more probably
treason, sacrificed an army of upwards of 30,000 men,
including 4,500 cavalry. The battle of Medellin, in Es-
tremadura, was fought with bravery by all the troops
excepting the cavalry on the left of the line. Their want
of firmness lost the day. The right, where I had the
honour of being with the Duke, behaved extremely well ;
and as our orders were positive not to retreat, the whole
division of the Duke was sacrificed. When everything
was completely lost, we opened a passage through the
enemy, sword in hand.'
The following are translations of the two letters wliich
were enclosed in the above : —
F 2
QS MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
lyie Duke of Alburquerque to the Duke of York,
' Cordova, Qth April, 1809.
' Sir, — The special merit which Colonel Santiago
Whittingham* has displayed during the whole of the
present war in Spain — and particularly the great degree
in which he has distinguished himself in all the actions
in which he has served under my command — affords me
the opportunity of having the honour to make this known
to your Eoyal Highness, for the satisfaction of this deserv-
ing officer. And for the same reason, I take the liberty
of entreating your Eoyal Highness to make the same
known to His Majesty.
' I take this occasion to present my highest respects to
your Eoyal Highness, and I pray the Almighty to preserve
your valuable life through many extended years.
' At the feet of your Eoyal Highness,
' The Duke of Alburquerque.'
The Duke of Alburquerque to Viscount Castlereagh.
' Cordova, &h April, 1809.
' Excellency, — I cannot do less than bring to the notice
of your Excellency the distinguished services which Colonel
Santiago Whittingham has rendered in the present war in
Spain, and especially during the time he has been under
my command, under which he still continues, with the
most effective desire to distinguish himself daily more and
more.
' I hope your Excellency will excuse the liberty I am
taking in order that this highly deserving officer may
obtain the satisfaction he so justly desires of being made
known to your Excellency.
* Apparently, tlioiigli the rank was dated back to 2nd March, 1809,
either the Government had not yet gazetted Whittingham as Brigadier or
the Duke had not known it so early as the 6th April.
CONTEADICTOKY ORDEKS. 69
' This occasion affords me the especial gratification of
presenting my respects to your Excellency.
' May God preserve your Excellency.
' His Excellency the Duke of Alburquerque.'
Brigadier- General Whittingham to the Right Hon.
J. H. Frere.
(Extract.)
' Olalla, 23rJ April, 1809.*
' I enclose a copy of the Duke's letter of this morning
to the Count of Orgaz, who commands the infantry of the
division of Andalusia. You will observe by his answer
that he does not consider himself under the orders of the
Duke, and therefore declines sending him the returns he
required. In consequence, the Duke has determined to
proceed to Monasterio, where he will see General Cuesfa
to-morrow morning.
' These contradictory orders appear too nearly to re-
semble those of our last expedition to the Carolina. The
country we have passed over to-day is not the least fit for
the operations of cavalry. From Guillena to Santa Olalla
the road is one continued defile ; and cavalry, instead of
being of use, would only serve, by a precipitate flight, to
weaken the effects of the infantry. The total of General
Cuesta's cavalry is very nearly 7,000. It appears that
the French have attacked his advanced guard at Santos
with a division of 6,000 men. Probably, this will prove a
reconnoissance in force — an operation which they seldom
omit previous to a general action. General Cuesta will,
of course, defend the position of Monasterio as long as
possible, fall back upon Santa Olalla, and finally occupy
and defend to the last extremity the strong pass of the
Herzadura, near to the Venta de la Cruz del Chapaxo,
two leagues on the Seville side of Eonquillo
* Sir Arthur Wellesley arrived at Lisbon, on his return from England, on
the 22nd April, 1809.
70 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
' If 4,000 cavalry were sent immediately to the Caro-
lina, and the command of that army given to the Duke,
he would either enter into Madrid or force Victor to
detach a considerable part of his army towards Toledo.
This, in my humble opinion, is the only thing to be done
in the present situation of affairs ; and should General
Cuesta offer to the Duke the command of the advanced
guard, he would, I should think, do well to accept it.
For upon the least further advance of the French, the
cavalry at Santos must fall back to the rear of the Monas-
terio, and continue retreating to Seville ; and thus the
Duke, without the hope of victory, would only have ac-
quired the fame of being a second time beaten.
' The present moment is so extremely critical that I
feel it my duty to state it to you as my opinion that the
salvation of the country will depend upon the success of
your endeavours to change the theatre of war once more
to La Mancha.
' Should this, however, not be approved of by the
Spanish Government, they should, at all events, order a
camp to be formed of 5,500 cavalry in the neighbour-
hood of Seville, which would be a rallying point for the
infantry should the passes be forced, and might, possibly,
if well directed, restore the fortune of the day. I am
sure you will agree with me that the command of the
force should be given to the Duke.'
From the Same to the Same.
' Santa Olalla, 2Uh April, 1809.
' Sir, — We have been to day to Monasterio. General
Cuesta has finally determined that the Duke shall com-
mand only the cavalry of his former division, which he
is to canton in the rear of the position of Herzadura.
To-morrow the Duke will reconnoitre the ground, and
determine upon the distribution of the force entrusted to
his command. Major-General Echivari, with the advanced
A PROPHECY. 71
guard of this army, is at Fuente de Cantos, five leagues
in advance beyond Monasterio. The outposts are daily
engaged with the French, ^wo leagues in rear of this
corps is situated Major-General Enesterosa with 8,000
cavalry ; and he is supported by a strong detachment, at
the distance of about a league, under the orders of Briga-
dier Zayas, General Cuesta's head-quarters are at Monas-
terio. I am convinced more and more by every day's
experience that Geyieral Cuesta is not the man to command
an army upon which the fate of Spain may depend. His
age, his infirmities, his excessive reserve, and his constant
ill success, conspire to render him unfit for his situation ;
and the Junta Suprema will learn, when too late, that good
inte7itions alone are a poor substitute for military talents*
Would to God it were possible to give General Blake the
command of this army, and the Duke of Alburquerque
that of the army of the Carolina ! I am convinced that
everything would go rightly, and, by a proper co-opera-
tion with the army of Portugal, affairs might soon be
completely re-established.
' ' Will you have the goodness to send the Duke, if you
can procure it for him, a map of the kingdom of Seville ?
I will thank you to direct your letters to me at Gerona,
where the Duke's head-quarters will be established till
further orders. He is very much hurt at what has passed,
and has written to Mr. Ovalle upon the subject.
' I shall have the pleasure of writing to you as soon as
we have finished the reconnoissance of the cantonment ;
and I have the honour to be. Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
' Samford Whittingham.
' The Eight Hon. J. H. Frere.'
* Perhaps the retreat of Sir Arthur Wellesley, in August, from Talavera
would never have been necessary had the advice of Colonel Whittingham
in April been acted on, and the stupid and incompetent Cuesta been ex-
changed for a more rational and practical commander. The Editor has
placed in italics a prophecy destined to such speedy fulfilment.
72 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
To his Brother-in-Law.
► ' Gerona, 2bth April, 1809.
' You will see by the enclosed letters to Mr. Frere the
position and strength of our armies. The head-quarters
of General Victor are at Merida ; his force about 40,000
men. General Sebastiani commands in La Mancha a divi-
sion of 10,000 men. Of the division of Soult at Oporto
and of that of Ney, in Galicia, I conclude that you are
well informed.
' Our cause is sacred ; and in spite of the errors into
which we have fallen, we shall, I trust in God, with the
cordial assistance of England, ultimately prevail. I am
well aware that the conduct of the Government has been
in many instances weak and ridiculous ; but I love to hope
that His Majesty's Ministers will forget and forgive, and
only look to the great good that may ultimately result
from the success of our endeavours.
' I did not lose my horses and baggage at Tudela. They
afterwards appeared. But I lost at Madrid clothes, bag-
gage, and a travelling carriage; the total cost of which
exceeded £350. What most has grieved me is the loss of
all my books and papers. The value of what I lost at
Coruna you are exactly acquainted with.* I think, in the
present state of affairs, you had better not send out the
carriage for the Marquis of Benamigi.' f
On the 28th April, Colonel Whittingham forwarded to
Colonel Gordon, Mihtary Secretary at the Horse-Guards,
a copy of the following letter which he had addressed to
the British envoy, the day before Sir Arthur Wellesley
* His baggage appears to have been lost in Sir John Moore's retreat
having been sent to Coruna from England.
t This was, no doubt, some intended present from the too generous
Englishman to some Spanish gentleman who had formerly shown him
hospitality.
GENERAL CUESTA'S EARLIEST BRITISH CRITIC. 73
arrived at Villa Franca, and wrote the first batch of his
dispatches in Spain : —
To the Right Hon. J. E. Frere.
(Extract.)
Geeona, 27th April, 1809.
' I had the honour to accompany the Duke of Albur-
querque in his reconnoissance between this place and
Santi Penni, and returned to Gerona this day by the way
of Guillena. In Santi Penni the Duke has left three officers
of Engineers to make a plan of the adjacent ground.' [He
then enters into long local details, geographical and strate-
gical, with his wonted accuracy and clearness, and con-
tinues :] ' The more I become acquainted with the Army
of Liberation, and the major part of its generals, the more
I am convinced that it is not in a state to cope with a
French army, unless infinitely favoured by the strength of
the position which it may occupy. General Cuesta would
already have attacked the French again but for the in-
structions of the Supreme Junta. Upon so brave and
respectable a character as that of the old General, I
should not wish to be severe. But the times are too
critical to admit of attentions of any kind which may lead
to the smallest deviations from truth. The General is so
extremely infirm that he is not in a state to fulfil the
active duties of his profession, and at the same time so
jealous of his authority, or so little accustomed to the treat-
ment of organized armies, that he has no idea of dele-
gating that proportion of his command to others without
which the necessary and proper subdivision of labour
cannot take place.
' In all the engagements which he has had with the
French, his mode of attack has been below criticism ; and
the consequences have been such as might be expected.
At General Cuesta's time of life, men are little disposed to
change ; and experience, however dearly bought, is not
74 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
sufficient to correct errors, whicli by long habit have be-
come second nature. Eest assured, sir, that, if General
Cuesta is to direct the operations of this army, it is of the
first importance to obhge him to remain upon the defen-
sive ; not only because he is at a distance of only a few
leagues from the capital, and, consequently, the elSects of
a defeat may be fatal ; but that it is almost impossible that
he should ever be successful against the French, fighting
his battles in the way that he has hitherto done. This being
the case, the proposed expedition to La Mancha becomes
doubly necessary. For, at the same time that the greatest
good would of necessity result from the appearance of the
Duke of Alburquerque at the head of a strong division in
a province where his name is idolized, and where public
opinion has so great an effect upon the people of Madrid,
we should obtain, also, the much-to-be-desired advantage
of obhging the Army of Liberation to remain on the de-
fensive, at least till the co-operation of an English army
should afford hopes of success.*
' I have, &c.
' Samford Whittingham.'
In another letter to Mr. Frere, dated Gerona, 1st May,
Colonel Whittingham enforced the same views, adding
more details on the state and positions of the Spanish
armies.
The hero of the age had now arrived in Spain, and in
a letter dated Villa Franca, 29th April, 1809, acknow-
ledged to Mr. Frere the receipt of a letter from him, and
of another from General Cuesta. Sir Arthur stated his in-
tention of communicating with the Spanish Government
only through Mr. Frere, and one sentence of his letter may
* In spite of the lost replies of Mr. Frere, there can be no question that
the latter agreed, and sympathized, with his correspondent. It is a pity,
however, that he did not send these letters to Sir Arthur, to acquaint him
with what the latter learnt only after painful experience — the utter inca-
pacity of Cuesta.
SIR A. WELLESLEY'S RETURN TO THE PENINSULA. 75
be appropriately quoted here, as confirming the wisdom of
the advice given to Mr. Frere by the EngHsh captain who
was serving so zealously in the arduous and hazardous
post of a British agent, and at the same time of a Spanish
colonel, in an ill-disciplined, disorganized, and badly com-
manded army.
' I hope,' writes Sir Arthur, ' that the Spaniards will ad-
here to their determination of acting on the defensive till
I shall return to the eastward.'*
In a letter of the same date to Don Martin Garay, Sir
Arthur writes : — ' In the meantime, I cannot sufficiently
recommend a strict defensive position in all quarters.'
If this advice had been strictly carried out, and General
Cuesta at once removed from the command, much trouble
would have been saved to the English commander. For
although many of the Spanish generals were as incompe-
tent as Cuesta, few were so impracticably stupid and ob-
stinate as that old soldier, who, excepting courage, does
not appear to have had a redeeming quality of any kind.
To the subject of this Memoir he was destined to be a
constant source of annoyance and disgust up to the
very hour of his death, as Captain-General of the Bale-
aric Islands.
The return of Sir Arthur Wellesley to the Peninsula,
who was soon to take into his powerful hands the uni-
versal management of afiairs, naturally lessened in some
degree the personal influence of the military agent who
was but a captain in the British army. He continued,
however, to enjoy the full confidence of the Minister. To
gain that of Sir Arthur was a work of time, especially as
he had at first no direct communication with the Com-
mander-in-Chief, but was considered under the orders of
Mr. Hookham Frere in his capacity of agent. It may,
however, be here remarked that, if the subject of this
Memoir had not eventually obtained the complete confi-
* JVellingtofi Dispatches^ vol. iv. p. 281.
76 MEMOIR OF SIE S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
dence of his illustrious chief, these pages would never have
been written ; for, though the great Welhngton was after
all a mortal, and as such liable to error, still it is not too
much to say that his opinion of those who served under
him must be considered as final both for the present age
and for posterity.
The jealousy of Cuesta against the Duke of Albur-
querque vented itself in giving that gallant nobleman so
reduced a command that ' nothing could induce him [the
Duke] to remain but the expectation that a general en-
gagement would take place as soon as Sir Arthur shall
return from the attack of Soult.' *
Sir Arthur Wellesley to the Right Hon, J. H, Frere.f
' Opokto, 22w(Z May, 1809.
' My dear Sir, — My letter of the 20th will apprize you
of all that has occiu-red in this quarter since I wrote to
you on the 9th instant. I have returned here with the
advance of the army, having done all I could, or had to
do, northward, and having thought it necessary to move
to the southward, in consequence of the invasion of Por-
tugal by the attack and capture of Alcantara
' I am much obliged to you for your letters of the 15th
and 17th. I acknowledge that I do not consider Lord
Wellesley 's appointment a subject of congratulation to
himself or his friends. I suspect that the task which will
devolve upon him will be a most arduous one ; and that
some time will elapse before he will be sufficiently au
courant des affaires to be able to form a judgment of its
extent. I am truly concerned, however, that your re-
moval should not be so consonant to your wishes.
' Believe me, &c.
' Arthur Wellesley.'
* Letter from Brigadier-General Whittingham to Colonel Gordon, (Mili-
tary Secretary at the Horse-Guards), dated Zafra, 20th May, 1800.
t Wellington Dispatches, vol. iv. p. 353.
LETTER TO THE DUKE OF KENT. 77
There can be no question that the new appointment
did not, and could not, suit Sir Arthur Wellesley. The
Marquis, his elder brother (and former patron, and official
superior as Governor-General), was coming out as Am-
bassador Extraordinary to relieve the Minister, Mr. Frere.
With such powers, and considering his past career, Lord
Wellesley could not be expected to play any but the first
part ; and Sir Arthur would naturally hold a position re-
latively inferior to that which he possessed while Mr.
Frere was Minister.
The advent of Marquis Wellesley in Spain, if no matter
of rejoicing to his famous brother, brought with it one of
the pleasantest episodes of Samford Whittingham's adven-
turous hfe, though his Lordship's sojourn in Spain was as
brief as it was brilliant.
The following is the only copy in the Editor's hands of
the several letters which its writer undoubtedly addressed
to the illustrious father of Her Majesty the Queen :—
To His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, ^
' Head-Qxjakters of ihe Second Division of Cavalry,
' commanded by the Dtjke of Alburquerqtje,
' Zafra, 23r^ May, 1809.
' Sir, — Since the battle of Medelhn, which cost us the
amount of 22,000 men, great changes have taken place.
The efforts of this nation are in exact proportion to the
difficulties which it has to labour under. Defeated at
Medellin, put to a shameful flight in La Mancha, the
French advanced to within fifteen leagues of Seville ; the
whole force which we at that time could collect in the
passes of the Monasterio, and St. Olalla did not exceed
8,000 men. General Victor, who commands the French
* Only a very rough copy, difficult to read, and not apparently in the
handwriting of Brigadier-General W^hittingham, exists of this letter. The
writer was, for the sake of the unhappy country he was so zealously serving,
evidently trying to palliate the national errors.
78 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
army in Estremadura, lost the favourable moment for
attack, and the energies of the nation were called forth.
The present force and distribution of the Spanish and
French armies are as follows : —
' General Cuesta, 24,000 infantry, 7,000 cavalry, and
fifty pieces of cannon. His advanced guard at Merida,
sustained by a body of 2,000 cavalry at Almendraligo ;
head-quarters at Fuente del Merthyr. His reserve at this
place.*
' Opposed to General Cuesta is General Victor. His
army is about 30,000 strong. He occupies Truxillo and
Caceres, and has his advanced guard at Mortanchis. A
small detachment of 300 or 400 men still occupy the old
castle of Merida, but they are hourly expected to surrender.
' General Venegas commands the army of La Carolina,
but subject to the orders which he may receive from
General Cuesta. His force is 20,000 infantry and 3,500
cavalry, and a large and well organized force of horse
artillery.
'General Blake is appointed Commander-in-Chief of
Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and Murcia. / understand
that he has advanced from Anton towards Cuen^a with
24,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry.
' General Sebastiani, who commands in La Mancha,
against General Venegas, has with him a body of 9,000
men.
' General Mortier marched a short time since from
Saragossa to Burgos with a division of 11,000 men ; and
it is said that General Augereau has passed Irun from
Bayonne with a body of 15,000 conscripts.
' General Ney with a small force occupies Ferrol and
Coruna, but as the whole of Galicia is again in arms
under the Marquis de la Eomana, he may be considered
as blockaded.
* Zafra^ from wliich the letter is dated.
LETTER TO THE DUKE OF KENT. 79
' General Soult has been completely defeated at Oporto
by Sir Arthur Wellesley ; but of this, I conclude, your
Eoyal Highness is already informed.
' I have not sufficient details to be able to state accu-
rately what is passing in Catalonia ; but there is no doubt
that affairs have there taken a very favourable turn.
' The result of this extension of the forces, and distri-
bution of the Spanish and French armies, is that, should
Victor fall back upon Madrid, and join Sebastiani, and
should the divisions of Mortier and Augereau advance
upon the capital, they will concentrate a force of 70,000
men. Cuesta, by effecting a junction with Venegas and
Blake (which it is always in his power to do by a flank
movement to his right, or by their making a flank move-
ment to their left), will collect an army of 58,000 infantry
and 11,500 cavalry.
' Sir Arthur Wellesley has promised to advance into
Spain, following the right bank of the Tagus, and to co-
operate with General Cuesta the moment that he returns
from his expedition to Oporto; and he has requested
General Cuesta not to compromise himself in any general
action till his arrival. Sir Arthur's force between Coy
and Portugal is estimated at 50,000 men. It is not for
me to presume to give your Eoyal Highness an opinion
on the issue of the present contest. But, at all events,
whatever may be the issue, your Eoyal Highness may rest
assured that as long as we can collect a dozen muskets we
shall fight, and by dint of fighting, I trust in God, we shall
become good soldiers.
' I have, &c.
^Samford Whittinqham.
' P.S. — I have the pleasure to inform your Eoyal High-
ness that the Junta Suprema has made me a Brigadier-
General of Spanish Cavalry.
' S. W.'
80 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTIXGHAM.
Biig a dier- General Whittingham to the Right Bon.
J. H. Frere.
(Extract.)
' Zafra, 2Qth May, 1809.
' The truth of what you have so often stated relative to
the necessity of a diversion in La Mancha is now most
strongly felt at head-quarters.* General Venegas has
received repeated orders to advance and attack General
Sebastiani, who has with him not above 12,000 men. But
General Venegas pleads the want of spirit in his soldiers,
and their reduced numbers. Under such an impression,
it may perhaps be better for the country that he should
do nothing. But it is sadly to be lamented that, at a
moment when such important consequences might, and
indeed must, arise from calling the attention of the enemy
towards the right, the plan of the campaign should be
exposed to ruin rather than employ, in the command
of the army of the Carolina, the only man who possesses
the full confidence of that army, and to whom the peasants
of La Mancha look up with the most enthusiastic admi-
ration.'f
The English Envoy and the military Agent were evi-
dently working harmoniously together, though we can
produce only one side of the correspondence carried on
between them. He now meets again with an old friend : —
To his Brother-in-law.
' Zafra, ^th June, 1809.
' I am just returned from the vanguard, where we had
a pretty little action, and carried off from the enemy 700
* Those readers who have observed how earnestly the Brigadier had
suggested to the Minister this diversion in La Mancha will be struck with
this passage. Anxious to have what is right properly done, he is indifferent
about the credit of the original suggestion.
t He alludes to Alburquerque.
LETTEKS TO HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. 81
fanegas of corn. Lieutenant-Colonel Bourke and Cadogan
are arrived at head-quarters from Sir Arthur Wellesley,
at Alcantara. His whole force may be up in a few days.
He has with him a force of 40,000 men, out of which
24,000 are English. General Cuesta has not less than
35,000 men. These armies co-operating must utterly
destroy Victor if he awaits the attack. But if, as it is
feared, he retreats from his present position in time, it
will be absolutely necessary to pursue and harass him in
his retreat with the whole body of the united arms.'
To the Same.
^ ViLLANEUVA DE LA SiKENA, Ihth June, 1809.
' The French abandoned Merida on the 13th. To-day
they have retired from Miajadas ; and it is evident that
they are in full retreat by the bridge of Almaraz. Their
position on the other side of the Tagus will probably be
at Talavera de la Eeyna.
' I cannot help expressing my opinion that, if General
Cuesta crosses the Tagus, and follows the traces of Victor,
we shall be reduced to the necessity of fighting a battle
in order to obtain his further retreat ; and, in the com-
parative state of the French and Spanish armies, the
result of a general action is always to be feared ; whereas
by the plan which I have taken the liberty to propose,
the desired effect would be produced by a war of move-
ment without the smallest risk.
' I have taken advantage of Colonel Cadogan's* depar-
ture for the British army to send you these few lines.'
To the Same.
^ ViLLAR DE EoBLEDO, 2^th June, 1809.
' You will see by the date of my last letter that we are
within a league of the Tagus. We marched all last night
* Lieutenant- Colonel Cadogan was aide-de-camp to Sir Arthur Wellesley.
G
82 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
in order to attack tlie bridge of Arzobispo this morning.
It has been delayed in consequence of the artillery not
arriving in time. We shall probably cross the Tagus
to-morrow. Sir Arthur is marching from Abrantes to
Castel Branco, Eosminhal, Sigura, Zarza, Coria, Placencia
— distance thirty-seven leagues.
' You will be much grieved to hear that the Duke of
Alburquerque has left this army. He has been disgusted
by the repeated ill-treatment which he has received ; but
I hope, when Lord Wellesley arrives, that everything will
be set to rights. I remain with the vanguard, or rather
with the cavalry of the vanguard, commanded by the
Prince of Anglona. I think that we may probably enter
Madrid in ten days.
' Sir Arthur Wellesley has appointed me to the Staff of
his army as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General. This
will give me eight shillings a day, and will not interfere
with my plans here.'
The Marquis Wellesley to R. H. Uavis, Esq. M.P.
' Apsley House, 19^A June, 1809.
' Lord Wellesley presents his compliments to Mr. Davis,
and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of his
two notes under date the 4th and 17th June, together
with the papers from Major* Whittingham, for whose
character and talents Lord Wellesley entertains the
highest respect, Lord Wellesley is extremely obliged to
Mr. Davis for communicating to him these interesting
documents, which he begs leave to return to Mr. Davis
with many acknowledgments for his kind attention in
permitting Lord Wellesley to peruse them.'
Thus, before ever seeing Samford Whittingham, Lord
* This arose from some mistake on Ms Lordship's part ; Samford Whit-
tingham was still only a Captain in the British service, but a Brigadier-
General in that of Spain.
DUKE OF KENT TO ME. DAVIS. 83
Wellesley, by the mere perusal of his letters and memo-
randa, had already imbibed a very high opinion of his
character. If anyone was ever more ready to acknow-
ledge merit, wherever it appeared, than this truly liberal-
minded nobleman, it was the illustrious writer (a few
days earlier) of the note which follows : —
His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent to R. H. Davis,
Esq. M.P.
^ KENsmGTON Palace, 12th June, 1809.
' The Duke of Kent returns his best acknowledgments to
Mr. Davis for his polite note of yesterday, and the obhging
attention he has shown in taking the trouble of calling
himself at Kensington with the letter from his brother-
in-law. Brigadier- General Whittingham, that was sent to
his care. The Duke conceiving it probable that the
General may have instructed Mr. Davis through what
channel to forward his letters to him, which he has
omitted to do in his communication to the Duke, he
hopes that Mr. Davis will forgive him for troubling him
to take charge of the enclosed for that highly estimable
officer, which he is peculiarly desirous should reach him
in safety, as he has reason to believe other letters he has
written to him before have not found their way to him,
as in his last he makes no mention of having received
any from the Duke.'
It appears, indeed, that none of these letters — not even
the one which the Duke sent to Mr. Davis with the above
■ — ever reached their address. At all events, they have aU
unfortunately disappeared, and it is, therefore, very satis-
factory that another to Mr. Davis, in addition to the
above, has reached the Editor's hands, which will appear
in its proper place.
g2
84 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
To his Brother-in-law.
' CoRiA, Uh July, 1809.
' I am just returned from Zarza la Maior, where I liave
been to see Sir Arthur, in consequence of his order. The
first division of the British army marches into this town
to-morrow morning !
' General Cuesta is at Almaraz, on the left bank of the
Tagus. Victor occupies a position on the left bank of
the Alberche river : his head -quarters at Ciboya. King
Joseph is at Toledo. Sebastiani, reinforced by the greater
part of the garrison of Madrid, lias advanced against
Yenegas in La Mancha. Ferrol and Corufia have been
evacuated. The Spaniards have taken possession of these
towns ; and the remains of the divisions of Ney, Soult,
and Kellermann (in all 20,000 men), have evacuated Ga-
licia and Asturias, and are directing their march towards
this part of the country. It does not appear an easy or
safe operation to attack Victor in his present position.
Should the other divisions join him, we shall have occa-
sioned the reunion of the French force, without having
increased that of the Spaniards in the same proportion ;
and the truth of what I have before stated of the good
effect to be expected from placing 60,000 men under Sir
Arthur will be severely felt. Of course, everything I say
to you upon these matters is in perfect confidence. If
any military man can save this country, I think it will be
Sir Arthur! His great abilities are aided by the most
conciliatory manners. He is just the man to please the
Spaniards ; and, in my humble opinion, if he has the
means, he will constantly prove victorious over the French.
He is -going to wait upon Cuesta in a few days.' *
* On the 13tli July, Sir A. Wellesley writes to Mr. H.Frere:—' General
Castanos having declined to send a large detachment to the quarter proposed
by me, I, of course, have no opportunity of requesting that the Duke of
Alburquerque should have the command to which I certainly should have
THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA. 85
The following account of tlie battle of Talavera is ex-
tracted from the ' Eecollections : ' —
' A short time previous to Sir Arthur Wellesley's ad-
vance into Spain, I was directed to join his head-quarters
on the frontiers of Portugal. Cuesta's army had been
literally destroyed at Medellin ; yet he had collected again
a force of 35,000 men, of which 6,000 were cavalry, and
had thrown a bridge of boats over the Tagus at Almaraz,
of which he was very proud. It was agreed by the two
chiefs that their meeting should take place near the bridge ;
and Sir Arthur advanced to the rendezvous escorted by a
squadron of British dragoons. In consequence of this
conference. Sir Arthur crossed the Tietar, and the com-
bined armies advanced upon Talavera.
' A slight skiraiish drove the French from the town,
and they took up a commanding position on the left bank
of the Alberche.
' Sir Arthur reconnoitred the ground carefully and
minutely, and proposed to Cuesta that the attack should
take place the next morning at break of day, in two
columns. The right column, composed of Spaniards, and
commanded by Cuesta, [was] to advance on the high-road
leading from Talavera to Madrid ; the left column, com-
posed of British troops under Sir Arthur, [was] to march
direct upon the position occupied by the French army,
pass the Alberche, and storm the heights on the left bank.
Cuesta's movement by the high-road would thus bring
his whole army perpendicular to the left flank of Victor,
whilst the front attack would be jnade by Sir Arthur.
' All Sir Arthur's orders were issued ; but no decisive
answer having been obtained from the Spanish General, I
been disposed, as well on account of your recommendalioa, as from liis own
character.' ' On the 22nd July, the outposts of the French army were driven
in by the Spanish advanced guard under the command of General Zayas and
the Duke of Alburquerque/ writes Sir A. Wellesley to Lord Castlereagh, on
the 24th July, 1809.
86 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
was directed to wait upon him, and to ascertain what his
intentions were. My conference with the old General
and his Staff lasted till eleven o'clock at night ; but I
could bring him to no final decision, and I was obliged to
return to the British head-quarters with this unsatisfactory-
result.
' Counter-orders were immediately issued, to suspend
the projected attack ; and an opportunity was lost of
beating the French army in detail, and of immortalizing
the opening career of the British General by a suite of
brilliant and rapid successes, not surpassed at any period
of the Peninsular War.
(' See my memorandum on the battle of Talavera.' *)
' After much hesitation, Cuesta was at last brought to
consent to the attack as first proposed, and a day having
been wasted in talk, it was at length determined that the
attack should take place next morning. We accordingly
crossed the Alberche, and ascended the heights, but it
was too late : the bird was flown. Victor had retreated
upon Madrid the night before. In spite of the remon-
strances of Sir Arthur, Cuesta and all his force set off* in
the pursuit of the French army, whilst the British General
was occupied in reconnoitring the ground about Talavera,
and in choosing the position where he should fight the
battle which he foresaw must in a few days take place.
' Victor, having been reinforced by the troops of Madrid,
was now at the head of 45,000 men, of which 6,000 were
cavalry ; and Cuesta was forthwith driven back to the
entrance of Talavera. It was with the greatest difiiculty
that Sir Arthur obtained permission to speak to Cuesta
(who at five p.m. was asleep in his tent on the left bank
of the Alberche), to inform him of the immediate proxi-
mity of the enemy, and to request him to occupy, with-
out a moment's loss of time, his position in the general
* TMs memorandum is too long for insertion, and, moreover, is (the Editor
believes) embodied in Southey's History of the Peninsular Wd7\
NARROW ESCAPE OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY. 87
line. In the meantime the whole of the British cavalry-
was thrown out to cover his retreat on the Alberche.
Colonel Elley,* and the Adjutant-General of the British
cavalry, manoeuvred the two lines in a most masterly
manner, and so completely checked the rapid advance of
the enemy that it was four p.m. before the last of the
British squadrons repassed the Alberche.
' I had galloped to Talavera to report the result of the
cavalry movements to Sir Arthur, when a Staff officer
came in from General Mackenzie — whose division occu-
pied a wood on our extreme left — to say that the division
had been surprised ; that one regiment had given way,
and that all was confusion and dismay ! In a moment, the
General was in his saddle, and in full gallop towards the
spot. We advanced into the midst of our skirmishers.
The fire was hot, and the enemy rapidly approaching.
Sir Arthur leaped off his horse, and scrambled up the
wall of an old ruin close at hand. But he was obliged
to throw himself down on his hands and knees, and to
remount instantly ; for the enemy's sharp-shooters had
nearly surrounded the building, and a minute's delay
would have constituted him a prisoner.
' A brigade of infantry was formed, at a short distance
in our rear, on the right of which was the 45th [Eegiment]
commanded by Colonel Gordon. He was a little fat man,
who had commanded the same regiment at Buenos Ayres.
Whilst the General was speaking to him, a musket baU
went through the blade of his sword, another took off the
round knob of his hilt, and a third went through his cap !
Sir Arthur then ordered the battalions to retire from the
right of companies, [in order] to pass the wood in their
rear. This manoeuvre had scarcely been commenced,
when the heads of the French columns showed themselves,
and their artillery opened upon us.
* Afterwards General Sir John EUev.
88 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' Our retreat to the position of Talavera was covered by
the Spanish cavalry, and conducted with much order. The
left of the Spanish line, in the position, rested upon the
right of the British. An English battery of six-pounders,
in the centre of the line, was removed to make room for a
Spanish battery of eight-pounders ; the fire of the six-
pounders being found inadequate. I had no particular
command in this action ; but finding no commander with
the Spanish division .on the left of their line, I assumed the
command, and found a ready obedience in both officers
and men.
' About ten at night the French threw out parties of
light infantry to open a light running fire down the line ;
probably to ascertain its direction. But our young Spanish
soldiers, taking the alarm, commenced a fire so heavy and
well kept up that Sir Arthur, who just at that moment
came up, said — " Whittingham, if they will but fire as well
to-morrow, the day is our own ; but as there seems to be
nobody to fire at just now, I wish you would try to stop
it." — "I have been trying for some time in vain," I
replied : and whilst I was speaking three battalions became
so frightened at their own noise, that they fairly took to
their heels, and fled from the field of battle. " Only look,
Whittingham," said the General, " at the ugly hole those
fellows have left. I wish you would go to the second line,
and try to fill it up."
' Nothing could give a more correct idea of the supe-
riority of Sir Arthur's mind than this httle incident. He
had advanced into the heart of Spain on his own respon-
sibility. He was now in the presence of 45,000 French-
men. His whole force consisted of 18,000 British, and
35,000 Spanish troops ; the latter hastily assembled since
the defeat at Medellin ; and, consequently, for the most
part a mere rabble. Panic-struck by their own fire, a
whole brigade had thrown down their arms and fled. At
a moment so awful, when all was at stake. Sir Arthur
SIR Arthur's remarks to wiiittingham. 89
coolly observed that the hole in the first line was an ugly
one, and requested me to bring troops from the second line
to fill it up.
' During the night a false alarm sent all our servants and
baggage to the rear ; they carried off our horses also, and
I was glad to mount myself on a stray dragoon-horse,
which chance threw in my way. We had had nothing to
eat for the last forty-eight hours, and I was truly glad to
fall in with General Zayas, who gave us an excellent break-
fast of " Bacallao con salsa ^ (salt fish stewed in tomata
sauce). About three p.m., July 28th, the French made a
fierce attack upon the left of the Spaniards ; but so mar-
vellous is the effect of British courage that, hke Falstaff's
wit, it is contagious. The same troops who, a few hours
previously had run away from their own fire, now fought
like lions. The French were received in an echelon of
battalions, the left thrown forward, and their attack failed
altogether. A regiment of Spanish cavalry charged the
French line with brilliant success. The Colonel who led
the charge had his arm broken by a musket ball ; but the
effect was decisive. As I was giving an order to one of
the battalions, a musket ball struck me in the mouth, car-
ried away a large portion of my teeth, broke the jaw-bone,
and came out behind the ear. I was stunned, but not dis-
mounted, though instantly covered with blood.
' The attack on our left having ceased, I proceeded to
the left of the line to report to Sir Arthur the result. On
my way, I fell in with a party carrying Colonel Gordon to
the rear, — he was severely, but not dangerously wounded,
— when a shell burst immediately upon him, and killed the
Colonel and his supporters. On the road to Sir Arthur,
I stopped at the Blood Hospital, and had ' the wound
examined, but nothing could be done even to stop the
blood.
'When I ascended the rising ground on which the
General and his staff were standing. Sir Arthur called out
90 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
to me, " Ah, Whittingham, I wanted you to take a mes-
sage to the Duke of Alburquerque : " but when he saw the
state I was in, he turned on his heel, and said no more.
I then sat down on the grass with Lords Fife* andBur-
ghersh,f drank a tumbler of sherry, and smoked some
good cigars with the sound side of my mouth.
' About seven in the evening, the French being in full
retreat, Lord Fife, Lord Burghersh, and myself bent our
course towards Talavera. We had not, however, advanced
a hundred yards, when a shell fell just in front of our
horses. Lord B. instantly dismounted, and laid himself
flat on the ground ; whilst Lord Fife, convulsed with
laughter, kept calling to me. to look at the extraordinary
length of Lord B.'s figure, which he insisted was beyond
all mortal bounds. The only wise man of our party was
Lord B., for the shell burst and covered us with sand and
dust, and our escape was wonderful.
' At Talavera my reception at the hospital of the guards
was truly kind ; but the surgeon wanted experience in gun-
shot wounds, and so completely mistook my case as to
bind up my fractured jaw with a wooden splint, thereby
driving all the splinters of the jaw-bone together with the
pieces of the ball and teeth into the lacerated flesh. The
pain was so exquisite, that before I reached my quarters, J
I tore off and threw away the whole of the dressing.
' Sir Arthur gave me carte-hlanche to go home via Lis-
bon, or to go to Seville, where Marquis Wellesley had just
arrived as British Ambassador. I should have preferred
remaining with Sir Arthur as one of his aides-de-camp, but
he thought that I should be more useful with the Spanish
army, as major-general^ to which rank I had been pro-
* Then Lord Macduff, and who succeeded his father on 17th April, 1811,
as Earl of Fife.
t Afterwards Earl of Westmoreland.
X It would appear (vide Preface) that Lord MacduflF took him off the field
and tended him at Talavera.
COLONEL Roche's letter on talavera. 91
moted for my services at Talavera [by the Supreme
Junta].'
But we are anticipating, and, leaving the ' Recollec-
tions ' for the present, must return to the correspondence
of the period : —
Colonel Eoche* to R, E. Davis, Esq. M.P.
* Talavera, ^Oth Jultj, 1809.
' My dear Sir, — The 28th July will for ever remain
memorable for the glory of England and the British arms.
The French to the number of 50,000 arrived on the even-
ing of the 27th upon the Alberche, and immediately
commenced attacking our outposts, upon which occasion
there was some loss on both sides. The following morn-
ing the whole line of defence was formed ; the British, with
their left resting upon a tai'ge of hills, crowned with bat-
teries, and extending across a plain, where it was joined
by the left of the Spanish Hne, which had its right upon
the Tagus. The battle, one of the most bloody and
obstinate which was ever fought, commenced at five
o'clock on the morning of the 28th. The attack was
made with the whole French force upon the British, and
lasted until half-past eight at night ; and, notwithstanding
we had not 17,000 men,f the enemy were defeated in all
attacks and forced to retreat with immense loss.
' We have lost 5,000 men in killed and wounded, and, I
am sorry to say, my excellent friend Whittingham is among
the latter. His wound is however — I am happy to tell —
in the most favourable way, and of no consequence. His
* Colonel Roclie (afterwards Sir Philip Keating Roche) was a military
agent like Whittingham. He was then Major in the British and Colonel in
the Spanish service, and the senior officer of the two, and remained so till
1814, when Whittingham was made full Colonel in the British army.
t Colonel Roche alludes to the British numbers only, which was hardly
fair to the Spaniards, to whom Sir Arthur Wellesley himself did justice,
both in his dispatch home, and also in his letter to Mr. Hookham Frere.
92 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
escape, however, was miraculous. A musket ball entered
his mouth, and came out at his left ear, without injuring
or touching a bone or a tooth. ^ (?)
' He is in the same house with Lord Macduff and my-
self, and wants for nothing ; and, in short, we expect he will
will be on his horse in a week or ten days. He met with
his wound as he was bringing up a Spanish battalion^ in
the most gallant manner^ and I sincerely congratulate, you
and his family on the distinguished part he has taken in
[the] most arduous and glorious day England ever saw.
Excuse this hasty scrawl, which I could not deny myself
the pleasure of writing, as well from my own inclination,
as at the desire of my friend about whom you may be
perfectly at rest. He is at this moment at my side, in
high spirits.
' Believe, me, &c.,
' K. EOCHE.'
[P.S.] ' I forbear all details, as you will see the whole
by the dispatches.
Extract from Sir A. Wellesley's Dispatch to Viscount Castle-
reagh, dated Talavera de la Reyna^ July 29, 1809.
' At the same time he ' [the enemy] ^ directed an attack
upon Brigadier-General Campbell's position in the centre
of the combined armies, and on the right of the British.
This attack was most successfully repulsed by Brigadier-
General Campbell, supported by the King's regiment of
Spanish cavalry, and two battalions of Spanish infantry,
and Brigadier-General Campbell took the enemy's cannon.
' I also received much assistance from Colonel O'Lalor,
of the Spanish service, and from Brigadier-General Whit-
* The wound would have been more miraculous than the escape, if it had
really done no more injury than Colonel Roche at first supposed, deceived by
the patient endurance of the wounded man.
t Colonel Roche should have written — kvo Spanish battalions.
SIR A. WELLESLEY'S DISPATCH. 93
tingham, who was wounded in bringing up the two Spanish
battalions to the assistance of Brigadier- General Camp-
bell:
This last sentence was the concluding one of Sir Arthur
Wellesley's dispatch, and, therefore, very conspicuous.
On July 29, Sir Arthur writes to Mr. Hookham
Frere : —
' I was well satisfied with the conduct of the Spanish
troops who had an opportunity of assisting us.' And he
gives the Minister some details in proof. However, as
Cuesta still left the British troops without supplies, Sir
Arthur was compelled to retreat, though that retreat did
not take place immediately.
Lord Wellesley arrived on the 1st of August, but Mr.
Hookham Frere continued to transact business for some
days longer ; and the first official letter addressed by Sir
A. Wellesley to his elder brother is dated the 8th of
August, 1809. The arrival of the Marquis was an event
of some importance to the subject of this Memoir, already
known to his Lordship by report, and soon destined to
make his personal acquaintance, as will be seen in the next
chapter.
After considering that extract from the duke's dis-
patch given above in italics, and also reading the letter of
Colonel Eoche on the gallantry of Whittingham — both
the Commander-in-chief and the Colonel reporting his
woimd as well as his gallant action— the candid reader
will understand how, at a later period, the utter silence of
Napier's too partial history excited very natural indigna-
tion in the mind of the injured party.
That which was deemed worthy of especial mention in
the brief dispatch of the victorious General, was surely
entitled, in common fairness, to a place in a voluminous
history, going into details far more extended than dis-
patches can ever admit of when written by victors from
the field of battle.
94 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WlilTTINGHAM
CHAPTEE V.
1809—1810.
TO SEVILLE FOE CTJKE OF WOUND — ATTACHED TO MABQUIS WELLESLEY's
EMBASSY — DK. KEKNED y's TREATMENT — DR. KNIGHTON — GENERAL CUESTA
RESIGNS HIS COMMAND — SIR A. WELLESLEY'S RETREAT — BRIGADIER-
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's confidential employment under MARQUIS
wellesley — don pedro de creus y ximene8, intendant of the
spanish army — affectionate letter to colonel cadogan — lord
wellesley's character — cadogan's present to whittingham— a
judge of wine — whittingham major-general in spain — incon-
VENIENCE OF MARQUIS wellesley's AMBASSADORSHIP — SIR ARTHUR
wellesley's candid confession of ERROR — A SECRETARY OF LEGATION'S
JEALOUSY — WHITTINGHAM AND FRERE DEEMED TOO PARTIAL TO ALBUR-
QUERQUE — A JUSTIFIED PREFERENCE — LORD WELLINGTON'S ARISTOCRATIC
PREJUDICES — CLOSE OF LORD wellesley's BRIEF EMBASSY — THE MARQUIS'
eulogistic farewell letter — genial shade of aristocracy — lord
Wellington's esteem for alava and whittingham — lord macduff
— lord Wellington's letter to general whittingham — castanos
appoints him general of division — EMPLOYED IN ISLA DE LEON —
organizes a select body of horse —importance of the BALEARIC
ISLANDS — GENERAL WHITTINGHAM 'S PROMOTION TO MAJOR IN THE
ENGLISH ARMY — ALBURQUERQUE RELIEVES CADIZ — HIS RESIGNATION —
PROCEEDS TO LONDON AS AMBASSADOR — DUNDAS TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH
MR. WELLESLEY AND GENERAL GRAHAM RECOMMEND WHITTINGHAM'S
PROMOTION — INVITATION TO HIS NEPHEW — COLONEL CAMPBELL OF THE
MAJORCA DIVISION — GENERAL GRAHAM's VOLUNTARY TESTIMONY — MR.
wellesley's OFFICIAL PRAISE — MARQUIS WELLESLEY's KIND LETTER TO
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM.
Brigadier-General Whittingham found his wound a
more serious and tedious affair than he had at first anti-
cipated ; and he proceeded to Seville for change of air
and completeness of cure. We return to his 'Eecol-
lections ': —
'My journey to Seville was performed on horseback
with pain and fatigue, for it was the height of summer,
and I lived entirely by suction. At that time, and for six
GENERAL CUESTA KESIGNS HIS COMMAND. 95
months afterwards, I could take nothing but tea and
soaked bread.
' On my arrival at Seville, the Marquis [Wellesley] at-
tached me to his embassy, for the time that I should
remain there ; and he wrote to the Admiral at Cadiz to
request that he would send to Seville one of his best sur-
geons. Kennedy came ; and, after examining the jaw,
and hearing the account of what had been done, he
laughed at the ignorance which had been displayed, and
that very evening extracted seven pieces of bone, one of
which was upwards of an inch long. Ten years after-
wards he extracted, at Madrid, a piece of the ball twisted
like a corkscrew, which had remained in the jaw-bone all
that time.
' During my stay at Seville, I lived as one of Lord
Wellesley's family ; and there I formed my first acquaint-
ance with that excellent man. Sir William Knighton. Our
morning rides were a source of happiness to us both, and
our friendship only ended with his life.'
In his first official letter, 8th August, 1809, to Marquis
Wellesley, as Ambassador, Sir Arthur Wellesley writes :
' The plan of operations which I should recommend to the
Spanish nation is one generally of defence. They should
avoid general actions, but should take advantage of the
strong points in their country to defend themselves and
to harass the enemy.' This was good advice ; but long
before the hero of the Peninsula entered Spain, the sub-
ject of this memoir had (as has been shown) repeatedly
urged the same advice. Well would it have been for
Spain if it had been acted on from the beginning, and
mere brainless fighters like Cuesta earlier removed from
high command.
However, on the 13th of August, that stupid and in-
fatuated old General sent in his resignation ; and General
Eguia succeeded to the command. But General Cuesta
will, alas ! re-appear again ; no longer, indeed, to torment
96 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the great English chief, but to worry almost beyond en-
durance, the subject of this Memoir.
But the change of commanders not bringing supplies
to the English soldiers, Sir A. Wellesley retreated from
Spain.
Brigadiers-General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
^ Seville, 22w^ August, 1809.
' My dear Davis, — -The fracture which has taken place
in my jaw-bone will, I fear, protract very considerably the
cure of my wound. I have lost all the back teeth on the
left side of my face. But I am still gaily disposed, and
only anxious to get quickly well, in order to take the
field again.
' You will have been astonished at our retreat after
our glorious victory of the 28th [July] ; all owing to that
old fool, Cuesta, who has done everything in his power to
ruin his country. I thank God that he is at last removed ;
and if the Command-in-Chief be given to Sir Arthur
Wellesley, things will yet go well.
' Lord Wellesley exceeds even the high idea that I had
formed of him ! The people here look up to him as their
saviour.
'Yenegas has fallen back upon the Carolina. There
will probably be some change in the position of our
armies upon the Tagus, of which I shall take care to in-
form you.'
To the Same,
^ Seville^ ^nd September, 1809.
' My dear Davis, — You will, I know, be happy to hear
that Lord Wellesley has attached me to his service for the
present in the most confidential manner ; and, as the state
of my wound would not allow of my retaking the field
for some time, I cannot be more profitably or more agree-
DON PEDRO DE CREUS Y XIMENES. 97
ably employed. As the first thing Lord Wellesley has
encharged to me is the most profound secrecy, I feel my-
self called upon to be silent upon everything but simple
matter of fact, even with you, the beloved friend of my
heart.
' It is currently reported that the French are retiring,
and even about to abandon Madrid. But I confess that I
have strong doubts on this head. The British army ap-
pears to be taking up a strong position on the Portuguese
frontier near Yelvas, where it will effectually cover the
approaches to Seville, and at the same time refit and re-
cover from its fatigues.
' My wound is going on very well. It will be a long
time before my cure is completed ; but my mind is at ease
since his Lordship has been pleased to consider that my
services may yet be useful.'
At this time there was living at Seville, a Spanish
gentleman named Don Pedro de Creus y Ximenes, an
Intendant of the Spanish Eoyal armies. His family,
originally from Catalonia,* had possessed property in
Minorca ever since his ancestor, James de Creus, had,
A.D. 1285, accompanied King James of Aragon to the
conquest of the Balearic Islands, f Don Pedro was a
widower, with two twin daughters, both remarkable for
wit and accomplishments, and the elder distinguished by
beauty and gra(^.e. Here the English Captain, become a
Spanish General, lost his heart to the elder. Donna Mag-
dalena; and some years later the younger. Donna Barbara,
made a conquest of Mr. Bartlemy Frere, brother of Mr.
Hookham Frere, and attached to the Embassy in Spain.
* The nortli-eastemmost point of Spain, Cape Creus, gave its name to the
family, say the Spanish genealogists.
t All this is duly certified by the Madrid heralds. Don Pedro's father,
Don Francisco Creus, married a lady of the ancient family of Ximenes j thus
the formal style of the military intendant was Don Pedro de Creus y
Ximenes.
U
98 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
To Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Henry Cadogan.
' Seville, 12th September, 1809.
' My dear Cadogan, — Had I not to plead illness as an
excuse for not having sooner answered your truly affec-
tionate letters of the 15th and 22nd July,* I should be
ashamed to address a friend whose good opinion I esteem
more, infinitely more, than I can express. I was, as you
will have heard, wounded on the evening of the 28th July,
at the battle of Talavera. I did not quit the field for up-
wards of two hours afterwards ; and, as I remained during
that time on the Hill with Sir Arthur Wellesley and his
Staff, I suppose that this led to the conclusion that my
wound was slight. It was, however, severe, which I only
mention, in order to convince my friend that no trifling
cause had prevented my writing to him sooner. The ball
entered my mouth, carried off four teeth, broke the jaw-
bone and took its exit behind the ear. Of the battle, I
shall only say that Sir Arthur Wellesley surpassed every-
thing that even my romantic fancy had formed him ca-
pable of In the retreat to the position of the 27th, his
timely presence and admirable dispositions saved General
Mackenzie's division from utter destruction. Yet Sir
Arthur, wnth a modesty unequalled, attributes the merit
of the retreat to that unfortunate General, and from his
dispatch, you would not know even that he was present.
' Lord Wellesley has displayed in his negotiations with
this country such great talents, such a wonderful know-
ledge of men and things, that whenever his proceedings
are made public, his character, high as it now stands, will
rise much higher in the opinion of his countrymen. If it
* None of the letters written by Colonel Cadogan to General Whitting--
ham have reached the Editor's hands. It is uncertain whether they were
lost in the Peninsula, or returned to his friends after his heroic death on the
field of victory at Vittoria in 1813.
CADOGAN'S present — A JUDGE OF WINE. 99
be possible to save this unfortunate country, he will save
it.* If he fails, all is lost
' Knowing, as you do, how much and how truly I par-
ticipate in all your joys and all your sorrows, I am not
afraid to say that no event of my life has given me more
pleasure than your 's being placed under your protec-
tion. May God grant you both as large a portion of hap-
piness as my heart's best wishes would insure you.'
' A thousand thanks for your little box. It is a de-
lightful present ; and every time I open and shut it —
which is very often daily — it brings recollections to my
mind, which, I trust, I shall ever cherish as I ought to,
and as I now do. Mr. Duff has promised me that your
wines shall be of the very best quality that he can pro-
cure; the pale sherry, and Paxarete.f I trust that they
have already sailed, but I shall write to him to-morrow on
the subject.
' As Lord Wellesley's dispatches will probably be very
soon laid before Parliament, I shall say nothing upon
the unfortunate causes of our retreat after the battle of
Talavera. The whole blame, however, rests with the
Spaniards. Would that I could say that they had taken
proper steps since that period to remedy the evils which
arrested Sir Arthur's steps in his brilliant course of vic-
tory. But enough of this subject. You will see it ably,
indeed, discussed by the pen of Lord Wellesley. You
will, I know, be pleased at hearing that I am honoured by
* The Marquis had fully adopted Genera^ "Whittingham's opinion of
Alburquerque, as compared with other Spanish generals. On the 21st
August, 1809, his Lordship wrote to Mr. Canning, then Secretary of State
for Foreign aflfairs : — ^ The most proper person for the command in Estre-
madura would be the Duke of Alburquerque, who has been distinguished
by several acts of gallantry and spirit in the last campaign. He is, however,
an object of jealousy to the junta, and if he should be appointed to the com-
mand in Estremadura, attempts will be made to ^reduce the strength of that
division of the Spanish army.'
t The subject of this Memoir was always — though a very moderate liver
himself — noted for the excellence of his wines.
H 2
100 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
his Lordship's confidence. I consider this distinction as
the finest feather in my cap. Have I not used a French
expression ? Adieu, my dear friend. My wound is getting
well fast. Several bones have been extracted. But I
cannot open my mouth; and I live like a woodcock —
upon suction. In consequence of the battle of Talavera,
the Spanish Government has been pleased to make me a
Major-General.* I enclose the Spanish account of the
battle of Talavera.
' Believe me, ever yours most truly,
' Samford Whlttingha-m/
Mr. Frere had only been Minister, but the Marquis of
Wellesley had come out as Ambassador Extraordinary.
At that period only ambassadors had the title of ' excel-
lency ;' and, at all times, an ambassador is the only di-
plomatist who enjoys full and complete royal honours.
But it was not only his superior rank, but also his fame
and great abilities, that rendered Lord Wellesley 's au-
thority and position in Spain far higher than that of his
predecessor, Mr. Hookham Frere. The latter had, how-
ever, evidently suited well with Sir Arthur Wellesley ;
and no candid reader of the dispatches, can fail to per-
ceive that the great General was uneasy at his brother's
advent into Spain. It was indispensable that one Eng-
lishman should have the preponderating authority of his
country in Spain, and Sir Arthur alone could unite the
civil and military power in the same hands. It was ne-
cessary, therefore, that the ambassador or minister should
play a secondary part; and yet it could hardly be expected
that the Marquis of Wellesley in such a situation, would
entirely defer to the opinions of his younger brother, and
late Indian subordinate.
The British agents attached to Spanish Generals (re-
* His commission as Mariscal de Campo (as Major-Generals are styled in
Spain) was dated 12th August; 1809. Vide Appendix D.
SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY's. CANDID pO^J'tl^lOiY.; ; 101
porting previously to Mr. Frere) had been placed under
the orders of Sir Arthur Wellesley. But Lord Welles-
ley brought out orders that these important and useful,
though subordinate, officers should make their reports
to His Excellency the Ambassador ; which, as depriving
Sir Arthur of the complete control, could not but be dis-
pleasing to him. One of the results of this unsatisfactory
state of things, which, fortunately, was only temporary,
was a series of snubbings to the military agents, both
direct and indirect. The following extract, however, is
quoted rather as a proof of the magnanimity of Sir
Arthur, who could acknowledge an error most grace-
fully :~
Sir Arthur Wellesley to Marquis Wellesley, K.B.
(Extract.)
^ Badajos, 17th September, 1809.
' My Lord, — I have the honour to enclose the extract
of a letter which I have received from Colonel Eoche,
giving an account of the state of the Spanish army, which,
I am sorry to say is, I believe, too well founded. In jus-
tice to Colonel Eoche, I must add that, before I joined
Cuesta's army, he wrote to me an account of its state, to
which I was not inclined to pay any attention at that time,
but which I afterwards found to be a true account in
every respect.' *
Thus Colonel Eoche, at a later period, had confirmed, in
letters to Sir Arthur Wellesley, the accounts w^hich the
then Colonel Whittingham had, months before, sent to the
Minister, Mr. Hookham Frere. Even the greatest of
mortals is hable to occasional errors. Sir Arthur had
been somewhat too tardy, by his own confession, in ap-
preciating the full demerits of Cuesta's command. Now,
Cuesta was the jealous enemy of the gallant Duke of Al-
* Wellington Dispatches, vol. v. p. 162.
19'3: :,/: ^/. : cMiairom: OF SIR s. f. whittingham.
burquerque, and may for a time have injured the latter
in the British Commander's opinion, and caused him to
disparage the Spanish Duke to the newly arrived British
Ambassador. Mr. Hookham Frere and General Whit-
tingham both sympathized with Alburquerque, as against
old Cuesta and the Junta of Cadiz ; and the subsequent
miserable conduct of Cuesta, and the gallant relief of
Cadiz by Alburquerque fully justified this preference.
But Cuesta and the Junta had then their partisans, and
amongst these was evidently Mr. Charles Vaughan, the
Secretary of Legation at Cadiz, who appears to have been
at that time jealous of the influence which General Whit-
tingham had with Mr. Frere, the Minister,* as well as with
Alburquerque. Mr. Vaughan was, nevertheless, destined,
a few years later, when Minister himself, officially to re-
cord his gratitude to General Whittingham for the aid of
his influence.
On the 21st of September, 1809, Lord WeUington
finishes a letter to Marquis Wellesley with this sentence :
' Although the Duke of Alburquerque is prone by many,
amongst others by Whittingham and Frere, and is feared
by the Junta, you will find him out.' f
It is certain that nothing worse was ever found in the
gallant Duke of Alburquerque than a too sensitive mind,
and that defective education which was then common to
the Spanish nobility. His vigour, valour, and energy, as
will be seen hereafter, astonished Lord WeUington himself
some months later. How he was persecuted to death by
the Junta is touchingly recorded in the pages of the honest
and truthful Southey ; one of the rare cases of a man
* The strong animosity of Napier to Frere has unmistakeably extended
itself to his friend Whittingham ; and he eagerly makes use of an expres-
sion of the Secretary to disparage the judgment of the Minister and of the
Military Agent.
t If the reader refer to the note at page 84, he will see that some influ-
ence (probably that of General Cuesta) must have been used to change
Lord Wellington's former good opinion of Alburquerque.
LORD Wellington's aristocratic prejudices. 103
almost literally dying of a broken heart. Such sensitive-
ness was not, however, it must be confessed, calculated to
win the confidence of that cold calm hero, who afterwards
acquired the epithet of the Iron Duke. The confidence
of Marquis Wellesley in General Whittingham continued,
as will be seen, unshaken.
Lord Wellesley wished to assemble the Cortes. Lord
Welhngton acknowledged that he had ' a great dislike to
a new popular assembly.'*
The liberal spirit of the Marquis was ready, not only to
detect, but also to patronize merit wherever he found it
united to integrity. Whereas, even a year later, in spite
of the continuance of a bloody war, we find the illustrious,
but too aristocratic hero of the age, urging upon that truly
royal ' Soldier's Friend,' the Duke of York, the propriety
of more speedily promoting 'ofiicers of family, fortune,
and influence in the country.' f — As if aristocratic officers
were neglected in those days ! But these remarks are
wholly of the present age. No such thoughts occurred
to the subject of this Memoir, then almost equally the
devoted humble admirer of the two illustrious brothers ;
the younger not having as yet entirely eclipsed the elder,
and the elder being decidedly the more amiable as well as
the more liberal of the two.
General Whittingham passed a happy time in the house
of the noble and genial Ambassador at Seville, and in
visiting his future father-in-law, who then resided in that
town. But the stay of Lord Wellesley in Spain was to
be very brief, and ere long he was about to exchange his
not very satisfactory position in the Peninsula for the
higher post of a Cabinet Minister in England. But brief
as his sojourn in Spain had been, it had been long enough
to fully appreciate the merits of that English captain of
* Lord Wellington's letter to Marquis Wellesley of 22nd September,
1809.
f Vol. vi. page 325, of the Wellington Dispatches.
104 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
dragoons, who was now serving as major-general in the
Spanish service.
Major-General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law,
^ Seviile, Uh November, 1809.
' I have been so long without writing to you, that I am
almost ashamed to take up my pen. I wish that I could
give you a good account of my wound ; but it is very
troublesome. Bones are continually extracting, and
matter has repeatedly formed under my skin. There is,
however, nothing in it, I believe, dangerous ; and patience,
the best of all remedies, must be my doctor.
' This morning we have accompanied Lord Wellesley to
his audience of leave, and to the presentations of Lord
Wellington and Mr. Bartlemy Frere. Lord Wellesley
goes to-morrow to Cadiz, whither I should accompany
him, if my health permitted. He exceeds every idea that
I had formed of him. I think that the Marquis as a poli-
tician, and Lord Wellington as a general, will save Europe.
It will give you great satisfaction to know that Lord
Wellesley has treated me with the most marked attention
during his residence at Seville, and is, I have reason to
believe, well satisfied with me. Nothing connected with
this mission has given me more heart-felt pleasure than the
friendship which I have formed with Dr. Knighton,* the
physician and confidential friend of Marquis Wellesley.
I recommend him to you, my dear Davis, in the strongest
• manner. You will thank me for it hereafter ; and I love
to hope that I shall have laid the foundation of a lasting
and mutually interesting friendship.'!' I have requested
Dr. Knighton, who will deliver to you this letter, to in-
troduce you to Sydenham. He was secretary to Lord
Wellesley during his government in India, possesses his
* Afterwards Sir William Knighton, the well-known private secretary
and confidential friend of George IV.
t And so it, literally, was the case.
THE MARQUIS'S EULOGISTIC FAREWELL LETTER. 105
confidence most completely, and well, indeed, deserves it.
I have known few such men ! You will thus become in-
timately acquainted with Lord Wellesley's character. He
is the greatest man I ever knew, in the best sense of the
expression. He has a power of attaching men to him
that must be felt, for it cannot be described without ap-
parent exaggeration. Notwithstanding, living with Lord
Wellesley is more like living with an amiable monarch
than with a private person. His good breeding is perfect;
and so nice is his sensibility on this point, that the slightest
deviation shocks and offends him. In short, you will, I
hope, become acquainted with him, and form your own
opinion upon this most wonderful man.
'I am at present translating our cavalry tactics into
Spanish. So soon as my wound is well, I shall apply for
the command of a division of [Spanish] cavalry.'
Here follows Lord Wellesley's official acknowledgement
of General Whittingham's services ; a portion of which is
placed in italics by the Editor : —
Marquis Wellesley to Major-General Whittingham.
' Cadiz, lO^A November, 1809.
' Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that, having
obtained His Majesty's leave of absence from Spain, the
charge of the embassy has devolved on Mr. Bartholomew*
Erere, with whom I request you to continue your corre-
spondence, according to the directions which you have
received from Lord Castlereagh.
' I have great pleasure in availing myself of this oppor-
tunity to communicate to you my sincere acknowledge-
ments for the valuable information received from you
since my residence in Spain. On every occasion^ your
* Thus written in the original. Mr. Frere was so christened ; though
usually called Bartlemy or Bartle for the sake of brevity.
106 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTmGHAM.
public conduct has been distinguished by the greatest zeal,
ability, and integrity ; and I discharge a most grateful
public duty, in signifying to you my entire approbation of
the satisfactory manner in which you have been employed
both by the British and Spanish Governments in Spain.
With great respect and esteem, I have the honour to be,
Sir,
' Your faithful and obedient servant,
' Wellesley.'
To serve under Marquis Wellesley might certainly
be called serving under the shade of the aristocracy ;
not, indeed, winter's ' cold shade,' but the genial and
refreshing shade of summer. Only three months had
General Whittingham served under him, and yet how
warmly and ungrudgingly had that amiable and all-
accomplished nobleman acknowledged his services and
his merits.
In a letter to Mr. B. Frere, written a few days after
Lord Wellesley's departure, and dated 17th November,
1809, Lord Welhngton strongly, though indirectly, ac-
knowledged the military talents of the officer, whose
ability in civil matters his brother had so lately recorded.
It must be premised that General Alava was already the
friend of Lord Wellington, and afterwards served on his
personal staff. The hero wrote : ' I do not understand
the Duque's* retreat from his position. He never ap-
prized me of it. It is very desirable that Alava and
Whittingham — as soon as he is able, — should be sent to
the Duque de Alburquerque, who, although he does not
want spirit, is deficient in other quahfications for a com-
mander, which his confidence in those officers can alone
supply.' f
A sentence of the same letter reminds the Editor of one
* The Duke of Alburqaerque.
t Vol. v., page 292, of the Wellington Dispatches.
Wellington's letter to general whittingham. 107
of the most gallant of British nobles, who was a true and
staunch friend to General Whittingham, namely. Lord
Macduff, afterwards Earl of Fife. Lord Wellington
wrote : ' I am most anxious about Areyzaga's corps, the
fate of which must be decided before this time. If he
should fail, the situation of the Duque del Parque will
become critical.' Lord Macduff was fighting under the
orders of General Areyzaga, w^hose army of La Mancha was
totally defeated at Ocaiia on the 19th November, 1809.
Lord Macduff exhibited his wonted valour, and exerted
himself in vain to retrieve the fortunes of the day.
Though without a commission in the British, his Lordship
eventually became major-general in the Spanish army. It
does not appear, however, though so stated in the Peerage,
that he really was wounded at Talavera.
The original of the letter addressed by Lord Welling-
ton to Major-General Whittingham, and dated Badajoz,
22nd December, 1809, is not in the Editor's possession ;
and, from want of space, it is not copied at length from
Gurwood's Dispatches.* An extract wall suffice for this
Memoir : —
To Major- General Whittingham.
' Badajos, 2'2nd December, 1809.
' My dear Sir, — I am concerned to hear that the state
of your wound has obliged you to go to Gibraltar ; but I
wish that while you are in that part of the Peninsula, you
would take an opportunity of seeing or writing to General
Yenegas on the subject of the defence of Cadiz.' [Then
his Lordship enters into details of the military preparations
required, &c., at great length, and the letter thus termi-
nates] : ' These are the points to which, in particular, I
would draw the attention of General Yenegas if I were
likely to see him ; but as that is not probable, I beg you
* VoL v., page 386.
108 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
either to see or write to him the sentiments which I have
above written to you.
' Beheve me, &c.
' Wellington.
^Major-General Whittingham.'*
Thus Lord Welhngton, in 1809, recognized Whitting-
ham's rank in Spain as that of a general officer, and never
wrote to him nor of him under a lower title till peace was
concluded, and he reverted to his humbler position in the
British Army. How ignorant of these facts must have
been that historian who describes the major-general of
1809 as only a colonel of cavalry in 1811 ! To be sure,
the Duke's dispatches generally were not then all available
to the historian when he wrote as Colonel Napier, but
those announcing victories had at least appeared in the
' Gazette.' As early as 1809, in Lord Wellington's dis-
patch of Talavera, that hero had called Whittingham
brigadier-general, the Spanish rank taking full effect in
the Peninsular War. But Napier's natural disgust against
the Spaniards extended itself, apparently, even to the
Enoflish who served with them, and his misstatements
must be compared (by all lovers of impartiality) with the
more correct statements of Southey, and especially with
the facts narrated in the Wellington Dispatches.
But it is necessary to revert here to General Whitting-
ham's private correspondence : —
To his Brother-in-law.
' San EoQUE^t 8^A January, 1810.
' I love to hope, before I sail for the new world,J to
pass a few months with you and my dear Mrs. D. ; and I
* In a note to this letter, Garwood represents Whittingham as then a
Lieut.- Colonel in the British Army, whereas he was only a Captain, and
gazetted a Major only on the 12th March, 1810. Garwood was misled,
perhaps, by Napier's history. (See Appendix D.)
■f Near Gibraltar.
X There was at that time a plan for sending an expedition to South
America, to recover the revolted colonies for Spain.
ORGANIZES A SELECT BODY OF IIOESE. 109
have now a double interest in this wish, as it will give me
an opportunity of introducing my dear Mrs. W., to whom
I was married on Friday last at Gibraltar. General
Castanos gave her away. We are now at San Eoque,
and as soon as my wound, which is still very trouble-
some, will permit, I shall go to Cadiz, where I have some
very interesting affairs to canvass with the Governor,
General Yenegas, by the express desire of Lord Wel-
lington.
' I pay the greatest attention to my papers. I keep
copies and originals, as circumstances permit, and when
I have the happiness of seeing you, I shall deposit the
whole in your hands.* I have never had so delicate a
part to play as at this moment. I am consulted by the
leaders of the different parties, and they trust me with
their secret views and intentions. I communicate every-
thing to Lord Wellesley, and I am now anxiously waiting
his orders.f The Spanish Government will employ me
as major-general the moment I return to Seville. I have
received a very pressing letter on the subject. But in the
present situation of their army, I will not risk the httle
fame that I may have acquired by taking the command
of a division of cavalry. But I will request to be em-
ployed as a major-general attached to the staff of the
army of the Duke of Alburquerque. This will, in fact,
make me second in command, at the same time that I
avoid the dreadful responsibility of directly commanding
ill-disciplined and disheartened troops.'
To the Same.
' GiBKALTAR, 22wc? January, 1810.
' General Castanos is appointed Captain-General of
Andalusia, which gives him, in fact, the supreme com-
* Though much of his correspondence has been lost, yet a great deal has
been preserved, which would fill volumes.
t Lord Wellesley was now Minister for Forei^ Affairs,
110 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
mand. He takes me with hiin as one of his generals of
division. We leave this place to-morrow. Mrs. W. will
remain at Cadiz, and I shall immediately take the field
with the General. The French are about to attack the
Sierra Morena on three points. I think that their grand
attack will be by the road of Almadin de la Plata. I fear
that Andalusia will be lost. But the Isla de Leon may
be occupied in great force, and will protect the advances
to Cadiz, and give time for any combined operations in
the rear of the French army. I pray you don't lose sight
of my Majority.*
' The Junta retire to the Isla de Leon, and the Junta of
Seville are entrusted with the defence of the kingdom of
Andalusia. My wound is, I hope, well.'
On the 2nd February, 1810, after a very rapid march
of 260 English miles, Alburquerque entered the Isla de
Leon with 8,000 men, and thus saved Cadiz. He was
afterwards made Governor of the City and President of
the Junta. On the 7th of same month,f Lord Welling-
ton writes from Mafra to the Hon. General Stewart :
' I cannot sufficiently recommend you to endeavour to
keep up a good understanding with the Spanish officers.
You will find General Castanos, who is at present at the
head of the Eegency, and General Venegas, who is
Governor of Cadiz, highly deserving your confidence ; as
well as General Whittingham, who is an English officer,
and who is, I understand, at present at Cadiz. 'J
* He had applied to be promoted to be Major in the British army, being
still only a Captain.
t Wellington Dispatches, vol. v. p. 489.
X Two days later, Lord Wellington wrote to Lord Liverpool : * I have
received intelligence, which I believe to be true, that the Duque d'Albur-
querque's corps which had been at Carmona on the 24th January, and was
supposed to have retired across the Guadalquivir, had ;re tired upon Cadiz,
and actually arrived at Xeres on the 1st instant.' Vol. v. p. 494.
EMPLOYED IN ISLA DE LEON. Ill
To his Brother-in-law.
' IsLA DE Leon, Id March, 1810.
' I am occupied from morning till night. The Eegency
place an unlimited confidence in me. The Duke [of
Alburquerque] consults me upon everything, and has
honoured me by the command of the cavahy, with full
powers to organize as I may think proper. I have trans-
lated Dundas, and formed a corps of carabineers chosen
from the different regiments for instruction. The officers
assemble every evening at my house, and the practice of
the day is rendered familiar and easy by the theory clearly
explained at night. The Duke wishes me to take the
employment of Chef de VEtat Major. I have no objec-
tion to it. It is the next [post] to the Commander-in-
Chief*
General Whittingham, it is plain, commanded all the
Spanish cavalry at Isla de Leon, although he there chiefly
dedicated himself to the organization of a select number.
He did not thereby (as some have apparently ignorantly
imagined) become again a simple colonel of cavalry.
In the beginning of March, the Eight Hon. Henry
Wellesley arrived at Cadiz, as His Majesty's Minister in
Spain, and from this time it was with him that General
Whittingham habitually corresponded.
In a letter from Lord Wellington to Mr. Wellesley,
dated Viseu, 27th March, 1810, there are two sentences
that bear connection with the future proceedings of General
Whittingham in Spain, and are, therefore, here inserted.
' Whether the fleet is, or is not sent to Minorca, the
security of the Balearic Islands is a consideration of the
utmost importance, which must not be lost sight of You
and I (I probably more than you) will be considered re-
* The rest of the letter is filled with military speculations and projects
regarding the future campaigns.
112 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. W HITTING HAM.
sponsible for everything that occurs, although we have no
means in our power, and no power to enforce the execu-
tion of what is necessary.
'It is desirable that we should advert to everything,
and should recommend to the consideration of the Spanish
Government those measures which appear to us to be
necessary. Accordingly, I suggest to you to pass a note
to the Eegency, recommending to their serious attention
the security of the Balearic Islands, Minorca particularly ;
they should send there, in the first instance, the Viscomte
de Gaud's corps which is now in Algarve ; they sliould,
besides, endeavour to raise men in Cadiz, where, by proper
measures, they could get thousands.'
Yenegas's pohtics were considered of a doubtful cha-
racter, but he was junior to the Duke of Alburquerque,
and therefore Lord Welhngton writes in February that he
considered his opinions immaterial, ' particularly recol-
lecting a letter which I wrote to General Whittingham in
December upon this subject, which I know was shown to
Venegas, and which was certainly calculated to inspire
confidence rather than mistrust of our designs in regard
to Cadiz.'
On the 12th March, 1810, Samford Whittingham's name
appeared in the ' London Gazette,' as promoted from
Captain in the 13th Light Dragoons, to be Major of
Infantry on half pay. In a letter dated Ma de Leon,
1st April, 1810, he writes, introducing Mr. B. Frere,
then about to proceed to England to his brother-in-law,
Mr Davis.
To the Same.
' IsLA DE Leon^, %th April, 1810.
' I believe that I mentioned to you, that the Duke of
Alburquerque has resigned the command of this army,
and is going as ambassador to England. The Eegency
wished me to have accompanied him, and proposed giving
DIVISION OF HIS day's LABOUE. 113
me a special commission for the arms and accoutrements
of the cavah-y; but this plan was objected to by Mr.
Wellesley and General Graham, who were pleased to con-
sider my presence here as absolutely necessary !
' I have, you know, undertaken to introduce a new
system of tactics in the Spanish cavalry. My day is at
present thus divided: From eight in the morning till
eleven, I exercise three squadrons on foot, which I have
selected for the purpose of instruction. From twelve to
three, I am occupied in correcting the translation of
Dundas on " Cavalry Movements." From three to five,
exercise of a troop on horseback. From seven to nine,
academy of all the officers of the three squadrons of in-
struction at my house, where the principles of cavalry
movements are explained to them. Add to all this the
visits that I have to make to the Commander-in-Chief,
General Castaiios, and the various conferences with Mr,
Wellesley and General Graham, and you will, I think,
agree with me, that my time is tolerably well taken up.
' On Sunday next, the Eegency, the Minister of War,
Generals Graham and Stuart, General Giron, and all the
officers of high rank in the island are to be present at the
review of the regiment which I have formed on the new
system. The regiment will go through all the principal
manoeuvres, and the Government will determine whether
the new system is to be adopted or not ! Notwithstand-
ing the acknowledged necessity of a system of tactics for
the cavalry, and the beauty and goodness of that pro-
posed, I am by no means confident of success. The In-
spector-General of the cavalry is the declared enemy of
my undertaking, and as all recommendations for promo-
tion are made through him, almost all the officers of
cavalry follow his opinion. Whatever be the result, I
have done my duty; and I am perfectly satisfied that,
unless a change of system takes place, dishonour and dis-
grace will ever attend the Spanish cavalry.
I
114 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' In losing the protection of the Duke [of Alburquerque],
I have, I fear, lost a great support ; but be it as it may,
nothing would induce me to retain the command of the
Spanish cavalry, unless I should be permitted to give it
that degree of mobility absolutely necessary for its success
in the day of action.
'I have entered more into detail than may appear
necessary, because if the system of reform be not adopted,
I shall request General Castanos to relieve me from this
command, and to make me Inspector-General of the troops
of the Balearic Islands.
' I pray of you to wait upon the Duke of Alburquerque
as soon as he comes to town. One of his aides-de-camp
speaks Enghsh very well. I am sure I need not say that
anything you can do to serve or to amuse the Duke wdll
infinitely oblige me ; for no one is better acquainted than
yourself with the favours he has conferred on me.
' The Duke has left the command of this army in
consequence of a dispute with the Junta of Cadiz. It
was proposed to him by the Eegency (when the Duke
determined to resign his command here) to make him
Captain-General of the Balearic Islands ! I was to have
gone with him as head of his staff. This idea was highly
approved of by Mr. Wellesley. The Duke was to have
full powers to recruit in Spain for the army which he
was to form at Majorca and Minorca ; and I have no
doubt that in less than four months we should have
collected 20,000 men. In my humble opinion, this,
of all others, was the situation for the Duke. At first he
thought so himself, but the advice of light and interested
men altered his mind, and he determined not to accept it.
The embassy was then thought of. It pleased him, and
everything was forthwith fixed. The Duke has com-
mitted a capital error, and of this he will sooner or later
be convinced.'*
* Southey lias recorded the sad death of Alburquerque at the Spanish
Embassy in London.
HIS PROMOTION RECOMMENDED. 115
To the Same,
asLA DE Leon, 2QthMay, 1810.
' As Mr. Wellesley and General Graham have both
written to request that I may be made Lieutenant-
Colonel in Spain, I am in hopes, notwithstanding the
difficulties which at first appear, that the affair may be
carried through.'*
' It was settled for me to accompany the Duke on his
embassy to England; but Mr. Wellesley and General
Graham objected to it so strongly, that I was obhged to
request General Castanos to state to the Duke that it
could not be. I still remain in command of the cavalry,
and I have every reason to believe that I shall have the
honour of introducing a complete new system of tactics
for the cavalry of this country. It is incredible the
opposition that I have met with, but, thanks to the steady
friendship of the Duke in the first instance, and subse-
quently of General Castanos, I am in a fair way of con-
quering all difficulties. Nothing would enable me to do
the Spanish cavalry so much good as clothing, arming,
and equipping one corps in the English style. Mr.
Wellesley would send out a complete equipment for 400
hussars, which compose the corps d'elite that I have
taken from the whole of the cavalry. This corps would
serve as a model for clothing, arms, and furniture, and
would, I am convinced, induce the Spanish Government
to make further contracts in England for the future
clothing and arming of their troops.'
Jo the Same.
^ ISLA DE Leon, 28^A July, 1810.
' The enclosed letter for Torrens, I will thank you
to seal and forward as soon as you have read it. You
*He was not promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy till the autumn of
1811, but the Lieutenant-Colonelcywas afterwards dated back to 30th May,
1811.
I2
116 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
•will see by its contents my opinion of the present state
of affairs. Be assured (but this is entirely entre nous)
that unless the work at Santi Petri is finished in a proper
manner before the French can attack us in force, the
island will be lost, and if this unfortunate event should
take place, Cadiz must at last fall !
' For my own part, as soon as the clothing complete
arrives, I shall present the regiment of cavalry that I have
formed to the Government ; and I may venture to assert
that Spain has hitherto possessed no such corps. I have
laboured day and night, and I flatter myself that I have
succeeded. But as the scale of cavalry in this island is
infinitely small, it is my intention to propose to Govern-
ment to raise a corps of two thousand cavalry in Majorca ;
and I shall endeavour to have the clothing, arms, &c.,
from Mr. Wellesley.'
[After using much persuasion to induce Mr. Davis to
let his son visit him in the Isla de Leon, he adds : — ]
' He will in me find not only an affectionate uncle, but
his father's oldest and best friend. Mrs. W. joins w4th
me in this wish ; and I really do think that a few months
so employed might be of the greatest utility in his future
career.* He might come here with Major Armstrong,
who is about to return, and there can be no danger
of a warlike nature at present, as it is totally impossible
for Buonaparte to attempt anything against this place till
he has driven Lord Wellington out of Portugal — an event
his Lordship conceives to be far distant.'
On the 25th September he writes again to his brother
in-law to express his delight at learning that his nephew
is coming out, and promises that he shall not enter the
service, and also to take good care of him.
♦ As a member of Parliament.
FIRST TRIAL OP THE NEW CAVALRY. 117
To the Same,
'IsLA. DE Leon, lOth November, 1810.
' This letter will be delivered to you by Colonel
Campbell, who goes to England on the subject of the
clothing and appointments of the force to be disciplined,
organized, &c. &c. in Majorca by me. I am to have the
sole direction of the corps, and to be general, head of the
staff, and inspector. It is a great undertaking. Every-
thing is to be created anew ; but I trust in God and in
my good fortune.
' Colonel Campbell is one of my most intimate friends.
We have long been in the habit of the greatest intimacy,
and I can safely and cordially recommend him to your
warmest attentions. I am delighted that Hart is coming.*
Pray would you choose that he should accompany us to
Majorca? I think he might pass a month there pleasantly.
He cannot fail to learn Spanish with us. English is
hardly ever talked at our house, and Mrs. W. will be
happy to give him lessons in her native tongue. He
will find an old and intimate friend of his here attached
to the Embassy, I mean Mr. Clive.'
At the Isla de Leon occurred the first trial of Spanish
military organization on a very small scale. How he
laboured at this work, limited as it was to 400 cavalry
(ofiicers and men) has been shown in his correspondence
with Mr. Davis, his brother-in-law. As to its results, the
two subjoined letters will testify : —
* Mr. Hart Davis, junior, General Whittingham's nephew, remained a
few years in Parliament, and eventually became Deputy Chairman of the
Board of Excise, in which post he established the reputation of great ability
and unwearied industry in the public service.
118 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
Lieut-General Graham* to Major-General Whittingham.
^IsLA DE Leon, Id December, 1810.
' My dear General, — Having just heard that you are
soon to leave this on an important commission to the
Balearic Islands, I am anxious to take this opportunity of
testifying my sincere satisfaction at the complete success
which has attended your exertions here. I am free to
confess that the task appeared to me to be so difficult a
one that I much doubted that even your perseverance
and skill would have produced the desired effect. For I
should have considered it less arduous to have begun
with recruits than to instruct on an improved system
officers and men who at first probably imagined they
required no instruction.
' But the readiness and precision with which these
squadrons executed every formation, and performed every
evolution that can possibly be required of cavalry, con-
vinced me that you had been able to overcome all pre-
judice, and to bring these squadrons in a very short
time into a high state of discipline, that cannot fail to
make them a valuable corps. The principle of good
instruction and practice is common to both infantry and
cavalry; and the advantages resulting from that unifor-
mity must strike forcibly the mind of all mihtary men
who give themselves the trouble of thinking on pro-
fessional points. But cavalry, above all, requires such a
variety of attention that the system of the greatest sim-
plicity must be the best ; according to the state of
discipline, this arm is formidable to their enemy or
dangerous to their friends ; and till cavalry has acquired
confidence in itself by a thorough knowledge of its powers,
by being capable of acting without confusion, one would
rather go into action without it.
* Afterwards Lord Lynedoch.
GENERAL GRAHAM's VOLUNTEERED TESTIMONY. 119
' But I forget myself ; for least of all to you can it be
necessary to make such reflections.
' I am happy to think that you will now have it in
your power to exert your talents on a more extensive
scale for the benefit of a country and a cause in which
our hearts are so warmly engaged. Do not think me
vain for thus offering you my tribute of applause. I
am merely doing justice to my own feelings. Beheve
me ever, my dear General,
' Most truly and obediently yours,
' Thomas Graham.'*
The Right Hon. Henry Wellesley to Major- General
Whittingham.
^ IsLA DE Leon, IQth November ^ 1810.
' Sir, — I cannot avoid expressing to you the satisfac-
tion [which] I felt at witnessing, this morning, the com-
plete success of your exertions to bring into the field a
corps of Spanish cavalry, formed upon the model of a
British regiment, and in a perfect state of discipline and
efficiency. You may reasonably take to yourself the
credit of having introduced into the Spanish cavalry a
system of discipline, which, if adopted by the other
corps, cannot fail to render them equal, if not superior
to the cavalry of the enemy.
' The steadiness and temper with which you have
resisted all the attempts to defeat this object, and the
perseverance and skill which you have manifested in
bringing it to perfection, are highly creditable to you,
and justify a confident expectation that your efforts
will be equally successful in the attainment of a still
more important object, which, with a view to the im-
* In the Britisli Service, Graham was then a Major-General, and
Whittingham only a Major, a fact which renders the tone of deference
and respect employed in this letter equally honourable to the modesty of
the superior, and to the merita of the subordinate officer.
120 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
provemeut of the Spanish army, you are now about to
undertake. — I have the honour to be, Sir,
' Your most obedient, humble servant,
' H. Wellesley.'
The expectations of Mr. Wellesley were destined to
be reahzed in due time ; but in the meantime a great
mortification was being prepared by destiny for General
Whittingham. But this year closes with a friendly
letter from the head of the house of Wellesley : —
Marquis Wellesley to Major-General Whittingham.
(Private.)
^ Apsley House, 9th December, 1810.
' My dear Sir, — I am apprehensive that my silence may
have inclined you to suppose that I have not remembered,
with sufficient attention, your valuable services at Seville,
and my estimation of your talents and character. But I
flatter myself that when you reflect on the sudden manner
in which I was cast on the turbulent flood of politics in
this country, and on the nature of the crisis in which I
have been required to act, your indulgence will furnish
some excuse for my apparent negligence.
' You may be assured that I have used every endeavour
to forward every point connected with your most useful
plan for raising a corps in Spain, although, from some
accident, I have not yet seen Colonel Campbell.
' I shall always feel a deep interest in whatever regards
your welfare and honour. I hope that you will apprize
me at the earliest moment of your wishes on all subjects
of importance ; and that you will continue to afford me
the advantage of your correspondence, and to believe me
to be, my dear Sir,
' Your faithful friend and obliged humble servant,
'Wellesley.'
THE GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GENERAL WHITTINGHAM. 121
CHAPTEE VI.
1811.
THE GREAT DIFFICULTY OP GEIfEEAL WHITTINGHAM — NAPIER AND
SOUTHET ON THE BATTLE OF BARROSA — GRAHAM'S ASSUMPTION OP
COMMAND — HE IMPUTED NO BLAME TO WHITTINGHAM — GENERAL
WHITTINGHAM COMMANDED INFANTRY AS WELL AS CAVALRY — DISAD-
VANTAGE OF TRUSTING TO MEMORY — WHITTINGHAM's OFFICIAL REPORT
TO LA PENA — ORDERED TO RETREAT ON MAIN BODY — GRAHAM'S SUC-
CESSFUL CHARGE — WHITTINGHAM's REPORT INDIRECTLY BLAMES LA
PENA — ACCIDENTALLY DELAYED ADVANCE — AN EGREGIOUS MISREPRE-
SENTATION OF FACTS— GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's LETTER TO MR. DAVIS
ON BARROSA — THE DUKE's COMPREHENSIVE TESTIMONY IN FAVOUR OF
WHITTINGHAM — THE DUKE OP KENT's SPONTANEOUS TRIBUTE TO HIS
MERITS.
In casting in his lot with the Spanish army, the great
difficulty of General Whittingham had ever been to find
good opportunities for distinguishing himself, whilst serv-
ing with raw and undisciplined troops under more or less
incompetent generals. These premises duly weighed, it
may perhaps be considered fortunate that only on one
day of his long career has his military conduct been made
the subject of hostile criticism, and this not by any official
superior — either English or Spanish — but by the pen of
an able, eloquent, and gallant, but also prejudiced and
partial historian, who himself held a very subordinate
position in the Peninsular War, and whose bias against
the Spaniards, and against Englishmen who were employed
with them, appears to have been indiscriminate and un-
bounded.
The battle of Barrosa, fought on March 5, 1811, was
certainly an unfortunate day for General Whittingham ;
122 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
but few officers who have seen much service have wholly
escaped such days. Even the great hero of the age had
had his Seringapatam and his retreat from Burgos. The
hero of Barrosa, Graham, also, was not always, though
very generally fortunate ; but that excellent officer never
himself attributed any blame to General Whittingham,
much as he found fault with the Commander-in-Chief, La
Pena.
The reader must be reminded, that to this day the
battle of Barrosa is a difficult and complex question to
all who take the trouble impartially to study its details
in the works of the various historians who have under-
taken to describe them. Putting the Spaniards aside, do
Frenchmen and Englishmen agree ? Is Napier corrobo-
rated by Marshal Victor's dispatch, or by Thiers's history
of the French empire ? But, what is still more important,
do the English themselves agree together.^ Is not the
account of the patient and pains-taking civilian, Sputhey,
diametrically opposed to that of his impetuous military
rival? If few persons of judgment will deny that the
work of the military historian is a far more brilliant pro-
duction than that of the civilian ; yet on the other hand
few will maintain that Napier was as impartial or as
desirous to do justice to all parties and to all nations as
was the historian Southey. The latter neither felt per-
sonal hatred against the Spaniards, nor could be jealous
of those military agents attached to the Spaniards, who
obtained higher, but temporary and local rank. This
temporary rank they obtained in return for the sacrifice
of serving with wretched and undisciplined troops, instead
of fighting by the side of those British soldiers who so
often, by their valour and stubbornness, more than make
up for the ignorance and incompetency of their leaders.
General Graham won the battle of Barrosa by suddenly
taking the command, and setting aside the Spanish Com-
mander-in-Chief under whom he had himself a^eed to
GRAHAM'S ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND. 123
serve. The partial success — as to results at all events —
that followed the battle, and the prestige of a victory
(then much wanted, after the retreat of the army to
Portugal), caused the military insubordination of Graham
to be converted into a patriotic virtue. But General
Whittingham was on that day in a different position from
that of Graham, who was only temporarily under La
Pena's command, and that by his own desire. Whitting-
ham was under the immediate orders of La Peiia as a
Spanish general officer, and he was also acting as a British
military agent, whose business it was to keep on good
terms with the Spanish Commander-in-Chief. By every
principle of duty and policy, and conscience, therefore,
he was bound to obey La Peiia, as his own Commander,
as well as the Commander of the allied armies. On the
other hand, he had every reason to love and respect
Graham, who had lately recommended him for promotion,
and praised his military talents in a most flattering letter.
General Whittingham ever maintained that he was,
and very naturally so, most anxious to be allowed, and
had requested in the first instance, to join himself to,
Graham's division ; but he was refused. But what im-
partial person could blame La Peiia for not consenting to
deprive himself of the immediate aid of those 400 Spanish
horsemen, who had been trained to unusual excellence of
drill and disciphne, by the voluntary confession of Graham
himself?
Certainly, it was most unfortunate, that the chief com-
mand had not originally been invested in General
Graham. But La Peiia was the senior, and would not
waive his rights ; for it had been agreed between Lord
Wellington and the Spanish Government that when
English and Spanish forces were united, the senior officer
of either nation should command the whole army.
From the false statements of the French Marshal
Victor (as narrated by Southey) that the English had
124 MEMOIE OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
purposely exposed the Spaniards to the first attack, it
does not necessarily follow that the first demonstration
of the French was not directed at La Peiia's advanced
guard. Victor may have been right in his facts, though
wTong as to the motives he suggested.
General Graham imputed no blame to ' General
Whittingham,' whom he in his dispatch correctly names by
his Spanish rank ; and who, whilst reserving for La Pena
the official report of his proceedings as commander of the
Spanish advanced guard, appears to have communicated
verbally to Graham after the action the reason why he
had been prevented joining him in time with his cavalry.
Li his dispatch to Lord Wellington, General Graham
writes : ' I understand, too, from General Whittingham,
that with three squadrons of cavalry, he kept in check a
corps of infantry and cavalry that attempted to turn the
Barrosa height by the sea. One squadron of the 2nd
Hussars, King's German Legion, under Captain Busche,
and directed by Lieutenant-Colonel Ponsonby (both had
been attached to the Spanish cavalry), joined in time to
make a briUiant and most successful charge against a
squadron of French dragoons, which were entirely routed.'
Unfortunately, General Whittingham, not being under
General Graham's orders, did not send him a copy of his
dispatch to General La Pena. If he had done so, Graham
would have seen that the Spanish advanced guard, which
checked the threatened attack of the French on the right,
consisted of infantry as ivell as cavalry, and that
General Whittingham was not that day a simple com-
mander of cavalry. To explain to General Graham
why the Spanish cavalry had not joined him, was
of course the only object of General Whittingham 's
communication to that officer. It was to his own
General, the Commander-in-Chief, that he had to send
the full details of his proceedings. This report he wrote
in Spanish with the usual forms employed by Spanish
HIS OFFICUL REPOET TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 125
officers. Of this document he, fortunately (the day after
writing it), sent a copy in the original language to his
beloved brother-in-law, who was himself a good Spanish
scholar. Finally, this document only a few months back
(with the rest of Sir Samford Whittingham's long packed-
away papers), reached the Editor's hands. It had never
been seen by Sir Samford since March 8th, 1811, when
he dispatched it to his brother-in-law, and consequently,
when twenty-two years later he found hhiiself, whilst in
India, unexpectedly attacked in Napier's history, he had
only his memory to rely on for his defence. That
memory, ordinarily good, the inscrutable wisdom of pro-
vidence permitted on this occasion to be materially, to
his own great discomfiture, defective ; the sad conse-
quence of which was that the injured veteran was deprived
of his invulnerable arms — like Patrocles in his combat
with Hector. The box of papers, left at the bottom of
a cellar in the public offices of London, was not avail-
able to refresh the memory of the veteran wearing away
his life in a tropical climate, in the unceasing service of
his country !
The following is a translation of Major-General Whit-
tinghains Official Report to the Commander-in-Chief
La Pena, of his share in the battle of Barrosa :* —
' Excellency, — At two o'clock p.m. of the 5th instant
I received orders from your Excellency to take post, with
three squadrons, and two troops of cavalry, and 1,350
infantry, f commanded by Brigadier Don Antonia Begines
de los Eios, at the camp of the Cerro del Puerco. Con-
sequently, I was proceeding to take up my position by
joining the infantry, when Colonel Don Louis Michelena
* Vide Appendix A for the original Spanish copy of the Report, as sent
to Mr. Davis.
t The Editor has placed in italics those portions of the Report to which
he desires to draw the special attention of the reader.
126 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
informed me that troops were in sight, which appeared
to be enemies, by their marching towards us. I hastened
the junction ' [_with the infantry']^ ' and reconnoitred the
enemy, who marched in two strong columns ; having with
them a battahon of light infantry, which formed their
vanguard. The one marched directly on my position ;
the other extending itself to its left for the purpose of
outflanking us. I ordered the infantry to form in squares,
and placed the cavalry on the left in echelon, to maintain
the position. At this moment I received your Excellency's
order to fall hack on the main body of the army ; and I
discovered, besides the two hostile columns already men-
tioned, another stronger one approaching rapidly on my
left to occupy the pine wood, between my camp and that
of the main army, the only passage by which I could
accomphsh your Excellency s latest instruction to fall back.
The enemy's force was at least quadruple that which I
had with me. I determined, in conformity with the said
order^ that the infantry should commence a retreat
covered by the cavalry. The English battalion under the
command of Colonel Brown opened the march, followed
by the Spanish troops. I took the detachment of Eoyal
carabineers, and one troop of English hussars* with me,
to cover the right flank of the line of march in the
retreat — interposed between the right flank and the
enemy — continuing the retreat up to taking possession of
the wood, where I immediately posted Don Juan de la
Cruz ; ordering him to cover the right flank of the posi-
tion, which' the enemy were already endeavouring to sur-
round. In compliance with my orders, Major Busche with
the English hussars, Lieutenant-Colonels Don Francisco
Eamonet, and Don Francisco Serrano with a squadron
of grenadiers, and, of the same rank, Don Santiago Wall
with two troops under his command, and some guerilla
* These were liiissard of tlie German Legion, in the pay of England.
INDIRECTLY BLAMES LA PENA. 127
infantry, maintained themselves till the retreat of the infantry
was accomplished^ of all the baggage of the army^ and of the
two pieces of artillery ; * which up to the last moment of
being sharply attacked, had maintained unflinchingly a
very well-directed and vigorous fire upon the enemy.
' The cavalry covered the retreat perfectly and in good
order, notwithstanding the continued skirmishing, which
the enemy's cavalry kept up, throughout the whole of
their advance, closing their ranks as they debouched, and
stronger by one-third, against ours, separated at that time
at several points.'
' At this moment, I perceived the corps of General
Graham issuing out of the wood, and moving towards
their former position on the heights now occupied by the
enemy. It would be difficult to give a just idea of the
impetuosity with which the common enemy was driven
back from all the heights by the Enghsh bayonets ; the
same enemy who had charged us with such insolence
and confidence as if he had already gained the victory.
His force was double tliat of the English ; but the victory,
though costly, was complete, and decided by the point of
the bayonet. The fruits of this distinguished day would
have been gathered beyond the principal object, if the
enemy — who in their precipitate retreat abandoned their
wounded of all ranks and descriptions, three guns and two
ammunition waggons — had been charged in flank and
threatened in the rear.f
* To represent as a mere Colonel of a small body of horse a General, who
had infantry, artillery, and baggage under his orders as 2vell as cavalry, was
assuredly a wonderful specimen of ignorance in the popular historian. If,
denying him the Spanish rank in which he was then employed, the historian
intended to call him by his English rank, he was equally wrong. Whit-
tingham was not even Lieutenant-Colonel, but only Major, at the battle of
Barrosa, yet Napier styles him ' Colonel.'
t The officer who ever considered obedience as the first and last duty
of a soldier, could, nevertheless, not resist on this occasion hinting to the
Commander-in-Chief how, instead of ordering his advanced-guard to retire,
he might have advanced himself with the main body and completed the
victory.
128 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' A squadron of English hussars, which were under my
command attacked the guard of Marshal Victor, routed
and dispersed it. This squadron of English hussars, jointly
with the one already mentioned of the Spanish grenadiers,
under the command of Baron Carondelet, and the two
troops of Don Santiago Wall, covered the right whig ; and
supported by the troops of brigadiers Don Antonio
Begines, and Don Juan de la Cruz, prevented the enemy,
by their gallant conduct and manoeuvres, from surround-
ing us along the shore, as they had twice attempted to do.
These two troops behaved with gallantry ; retiring from
and advancing upon the enemy, at the right moment, as
equally did the detachment of the Eoyal carabineers. All
the cavalry in short brilliantly fulfilled their duty.
' The enemy, after finding himself repulsed from the
heights, commenced his retreat in an orderly manner,
covered by his cavalry. This was the moment in which
I proposed to myself to collect together and act on the
offensive with my 400 horse, which I had under my
orders.* With this view I had desired Eamonet and
Serrano, in union with Wall, to observe and to co-operate
with the movements of the English hussars and the Eoyal
carabineers, which I kept with me ; when, upon the right
of the whole line, there appeared a column of infantry of
about 500 men, preceded by a party of horse, and moving
as if to turn our flank. It was indispensable to manoeuvre
so as to keep them under observation, whilst a sergeant
and six men of the squadron of carabineers reconnoitred
them ; and the opportunity thus escaped me of charging^
with the whole of my disposable cavalry, the enemy who
was retiring rapidly. At the head of the English hussars
* This corps, which he had himself trained and organized, to the admira-
tion of General Graham and Mr. Wellesley, was under his special orders]
though as General (as his dispatch clearly proves) he on that day com-
manded, under La Pena, the whole Spanish advanced-guard — amounting,
apparently, to about 2,500 of all ranks — a small force against such an
enemy ; but still no Colonel's command.
AN EGREGIOUS MISREPRESENTATION OF FACT. 129
I followed them, resolving to attack a body of cavalry,
posted at the side of a lake, which covered their left flank.
But on my advance, I discovered that the whole of the
enemy's infantry were collected on their right, supported by
the artillery, and covered by the pine wood ; a situation
which did not allow of a partial or isolated movement
against the above mentioned force, so well protected. In
this situation, two pieces of artillery were placed in position
by General Graham which by a well directed fire obhged
the enemy to continue his retreat between the lake and
the pine wood in the direction of Chiclava.
' I cannot do less than entreat your Excellency to make
known to their Serene Highnesses,* the particular merit
evinced in all circumstances, by the commanders, officers,
and troops in this action, wdthout being able to select or
individuahze any to your Excellency, where all have
emulously and honourably fulfilled their duty, on this
happy occasion thus offered to them, of showing them-
selves to the nation as its defenders.
' God preserve your Excellency.
^ His Excellency [Maj or-General] Senor Don Santiago
Whittingham, to his Excellency [Lieutenant-Ge-
neral] Senor Don Manuel de la Pena, General-in-
Chief.
* Camp of Cerro del Puerco, 7th March, 1811.'
This dispatch demonstrates that notwithstanding La
Pena's orders to retire, it ^\^as simply an accident over
which he had no control, that delayed the advance of
General Whittingham, after the successful charge of the
British under General Graham.
That some of these details, as well as those regarding
his rank and position, should have escaped his recollec-
tion after about a quarter of a century had elapsed — a
period passed in nearly ceaseless laborious duties and
occupations — is less extraordinary than that an historian
* The Regency of Spain.
K
130 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM,
sitting at home at ease should have made so many mis-
takes, and egregiously misrepresented the proceedings of
that small part of La Peiia's army which took part in the
battle of Barrosa.
As usual, so on this occasion, General Whittingham
was with the advanced guard of the Spanish army. The
fatiguing marches which the Spaniards had undergone,
may have palliated the tardiness of La Pena, who had
also perhaps a just right to complain of the disobedience
of his subordinate General Graham. But certainly La
Pena was not in sight of the action that day, and inter-
fered only to order the retreat of his advanced guard,
on to the main body.
It may be that Southey is too severe on Graham, under
the circumstances ; but at least he appears to have dis-
cussed the question with studied calmness and impar-
tiality, as well as with a fullness of details, which may
have exhausted the patience of some of his readers. But
most assuredly if truth and acciu-acy are the most impor-
tant points in a history, in that respect Southey has borne
the palm from his military rival, even though it is pro-
bable that some errors also exist in his pains-taking
accounts of Barrosa.
The painful uncertainty of history, of which many ex-
amples have been furnished in the present century, was
never more patent than in the conflicting testimonies, re-
garding that battle, in acting in which, General Whitting-
ham appears to have done his duty under most trying
circumstances. That he was indignant with the Spanish
Commander-in-Chief, and that all his sympathies were
with General Graham, is proved by the following private
letter written three days after the action, more plainly
than etiquette would admit of in the official dispatch : —
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's LETTER TO MR. DAVIS. 131
Major-General Whittinghain to his Brother-in-law.
^IsLA DB Leon, %th March, 1811.
'My dear Davis, — The time is so short, that I have
scarcely time to send you a copy of my report * to the
Commander-in-Chief La Peiia of the part I had in the
action of the 5th. If the EngUsh had been supported
by an advance movement of the Spaniards in the wood,
the siege of Cadiz must have been raised, and the whole
business would have been most glorious. As it is, the
British army gained a most complete victory against double
the number of French, and covered themselves with im-
mortal honour.
' The loss of the Enghsh exceeds 1,200 men, and after
such a specimen of Spanish generalship, it is not to be
believed that General Graham will again engage in offen-
sive operations, unless he has the command-in-chief. The
Spaniards still keep the bridge of boats upon the river,
and talk of undertaking offensive operations alone. As
everything relative to my expedition to Majorca is settled,
I shall give up [my command] here, as soon as they may
choose to take away the bridge of Santi Petri. Colonel
Macdonald will do me the favour to deliver this letter.
He is Adjutant-General of the British forces here, and I
beg to recommend him to your particular attentions. My
best love to Mrs. Davis and all the family, as well as to
James [Whittingham] and his family, and believe me,
' Ever yours most affectionately,
' Samford Whittingham.'
If Napier had delayed his history till after the publi-
cation of the ' Wellington Dispatches ' (since the Duke
refused him access to them), he would probably have done
more justice to General Whittingham, of whom so much
* He means, scarcely time to do more than send a copy of his report,
K 2
132 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
honourable mention is therein made. Above all he would
have read the Duke's all-comprehensive testimony to the
merits and services of Sir Samford Whittingham, from the
commencement to the close of the Peninsular war. Three
years after Barrosa the Duke wrote in favour of the sub-
ject of this Memoir that he had ' served most zealously
and gallantly^ from the commencement of the war in the
Peninsula, and I have had every reason to be satisfied
with his conduct, in every situation in which he has been
placed.'*
Let the reader mark the two everys employed by one
who weighed his words ; and was not Barrosa one of the
situations in which the subject of this Memoir had been
placed ?
A month later the Premier, Mr. Perceval, thanked Mr.
Davis for a copy of General Whittingham' s translation of
Dundas's Cavalry Tactics, and expressed the ' most san-
guine hopes of the benefit the Spanish cause will derive
from his being entrusted with the formation of a consider-
able body of their army.'
But the following letter must have given General
Whittingham greater pleasure than all the other acknow-
ledgements he received of the copies of his military
Spanish publication : —
H.R.H. the Duke of Kent to R. H. Davis, Esq. M.P.
^ Kensington Palace^ IQth April, 1811.
' The Duke of Kent does himself the honoiu* of ac-
knowledging Mr. Hart Davis's polite note of yesterday,
enclosing a copy of General Whittingham's translation of
Dundas's Cavalry Tactics into Spanish ; and the Duke
begs to assure Mr. Davis that he values most highly the
General's attention, as well as the very handsome manner
in which Mr. Davis has become the instrument of impart-
ing it.
* This letter will appear in its proper place.
THE DUKE OF KENT'S TKIBUTE TO HIS MERITS. 133
' The Duke cannot resist, upon this opportunity, payiyig
what he considers a just tribute to the mernts of General
Whittingham, by observing that he views him as a high
ornament to the British service, and a most efficient aid in
the prosecution of the Spanish cause*
'Hart Davis, Esq.'
At this time, as the ' Wellington Dispatches ' testify,
General Castaiios, who had been appointed a member of
the Eegency, as well as Commander-in-chief, was fast
gaining the confidence and friendship of Lord Wellington,
to the great delight of his former aide-de-camp, who was
now starting to undertake the very difficult task of raising
and organizing a large Spanish division, with at first one
only other British officer to assist him, and to the very
last obtaining little aid from any but Spanish officers
trained by himself.
* The Editor deems such spontaneous praise from the excellent father of
Her gracious Majesty, worthy of being placed in italics.
134 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTER VII.
18 11 — cotitimied.
GENEEAL WHITTINGHAM's ARDTTOUS TASK AT MAJOECA — FII^ANCIAL
DUTIES — A PUNCTILIOUS GOYEENOE — LANDS AT PALMA — FEENCH AND
GEEMAN PEISONEES — GENEEAL DON GEEGOEIO CUESTA AGAIN — LETTEE
TO COLONEL TOEEENS — LETTEE TO EIGHT HON. HENEY WELLESLEY
TEEATISE ON MAJOECA — LETTEE TO HON. CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD, E.N. —
LETTEE TO ADMIEAL PELLEW — COLONEL TOEEENS'S OPINION OF WHIT-
TINGHAM— LETTEE TO COLONEL TOEEENS — PEOMOTION TO LIEUT.-
COLONEL IN BEITISH AEMY — LETTEE TO ME. DAVIS — CAPTAIN BEIAELY's
MISSION TO CADIZ — OFFICIAL DELAYS — GENEEAL WHITTINGHAM DESIEED
AS GOVEENOE — SOLICITATIONS FEOM ENGLISHMEN — SPANISH JEALOUSIES
AND INTEIGUES — A NEAELY EXHAUSTED PATIENCE — GENEEAL CUESTA's
ENMITY AND INSULTS — GENEEAL CUESTA's DEATH.
The arduous task undertaken by General Whittingham —
to raise, organize, pay, clothe, feed, drill, and instruct a
large division of Spanish troops in Majorca, is now partly
represented by a large manuscript folio volume, contain-
ing the written copies of the correspondence which such
an Herculean task necessarily occasioned. The word
partly is used advisedly, as much of his personal active
military exertions were never represented on paper. His
financial duties especially weighed on his mind; no
English paymaster having been appointed to assist him,
whilst in the Spanish paymasters he could not feel com-
plete confidence. Colonel Patrick Campbell, indeed, of
the Majorca division, acted voluntarily as his deputy pay-
master ; but the entire responsibility rested with himself,
and became the greatest, as it was the most unjustifiable,
of the burdens he had to bear in the island.
The chief advantage of having a deputy arose from the
A PUNCTILIOUS GOVERNOR. 135
fact that the actual money did not pass through the
General's hands, though disbursed by his orders ; and this
arrangement, without lessening the legal, of course dimi-
nished his moral responsibility ; which rested chiefly with
Colonel Campbell, who had charge of the monies.
It is of course but a small fraction of his voluminous
Majorcan correspondence, that will now be laid before the
reader ; but sufficient to show the nature and extent of
his task.
The Right Hon. Henry Wellesley to Major-General
Whittingham.
^ Cadiz, Sth June, 1811.
' Sir, — Upon your arrival at Gibraltar, you are to con-
sider this letter as sufficient authority for you to draw
from that place, on His Majesty's Treaauryin London, for
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
' I am, with much respect. Sir, your most obedient and
humble servant,
' Henry Wellesley.'
On June 13th, 1811, General Whittingham landed at
Gibraltar. When three years earlier he had first landed
on the rock, as Captain Whittingham, kind and cour-
teously had he been received by Sir Hew ])alrymple.
This time it was different. The pompous Governor was
difficult of access, and the new arrival was anxious to
arrange without loss of time, the cashing of his Treasury
order, and to proceed on his mission to Majorca. He,
therefore, armed with the above-mentioned authority, pro-
ceeded to negotiate Avith the merchants of Gibraltar ; Mr.
Wellesley not having authorised him to consult anyone
whatever, and having limited his powers as to rate of ex-
change, so that the utmost secresy was necessary, in order
to raise the money on the required terms. But the
136 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Governor discovering the negotiations, and more mindful
of his own dignity than of the efficiency of the public
service, flew into a violent passion, and commencing a
most harsh correspondence with the unintentional offender,
ended by ordering him to proceed ' on his mission with
the least possible delay.' The matter was reported on
both sides to their respective superiors, and entailed
plenty of correspondence ; but apparently the various de-
partments concerned never came to any positive under-
standing on the matter. At all events it does not appear
that it was ever satisfactorily settled. General Whitting-
ham, however, effected his business in a few days. Before
leaving Gibraltar he wrote to Mr. Wellesley and to Mar-
quis Wellesley ; to the former, a justification of his con-
duct, as his official superior, to the latter an account of
the affair as to his friend and protector, and to his brother-
in-law he of course explained everything. Assuredly this
dispute was forced upon him, without any fault of his
own ; as he was denied all opportunity for amicable ex-
planation. The details of his financial proceedings at
Gibraltar are recorded w^ith the accuracy of a counting-
house. He succeeded so well that Government made a
better bargain than could have been made at Cadiz, all
which he explained to Mr. Wellesley for the information
of the Treasury.
On the 28th June, he landed at Palma in Majorca,
where he immediately hired a house for his stores, and
commenced disembarking the clothing and arms which
had arrived for the use of the army of reserve about to
be raised in the island ; of all which proceedings Mr.
Wellesley and Admiral Sir Charles Cotton were duly in-
formed in clear and ample details. Long letters follow
on the statistical state of the island and of its intricate
politics, and regarding the French leanings of some of the
inhabitants.
A serious danger was the number of French prisoners
FRENCH AND GERMAN PRISONERS. 137
in the Balearic Islands, whom, especially the officers, it
was difficult to keep from intriguing with the inhabitants,
on whose loyalty the retreat of Lord Wellington to Portugal
had had a bad effect. Many of the first families in Majorca
were more than suspected of conspiring with the French
officers on parole with a view to a revolution in the inte-
rest of Napoleon. In communicating these and other facts
to Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.,* on the 14th July,
1811, General Whittingham adds, amongst his postscripts,
this curious sentence : ' I should think it would be highly
^dvisable to remove the French officers, at least, from this
pis^ce to Mahon for the present, and that without losing a
moii:ent's time. My information comes from the Church,
through means which they alone possess, and therefore can-
not be doubted.'
Amongst the prisoners were some Germans, who had
only reluctantly served with the French, and these after
some correspondence, General Whittingham w^as allowed
to enlist into his Majorca division ; and they were found
to be a valuable acquisition.
On the 13th July he reported his arrival and proceed-
ings to Marquis Wellesley, who it appears had used his
influence with Ministers in England to cause the adoption
of General Whittingham's plans of raising troops in
Majorca. With the Spanish authorities he corresponded
in their own language, as his Majorca letter-book testifies.
But of all his worries and misfortunes in Majorca (and
their name was legion) the greatest was undoubtedly the
fact that Don Gregorio Cuesta (the man whose stupid
obstinacy, dislike of the English, and utter incompetency.
General Whittingham had exposed and denounced to
Mr. Hookham Frere, before the arrival in Spain of Sir
Arthur Wellesley) was at this time, Captain-General of
the Balearic Islands, with full and unlimited powers!
* Afterwards the celebrated Viscount Exraouth.
138 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Now that lie could no longer worry the hero of the age
he vented his malice on the British officer now serving as
a Major-General in the province he commanded as Cap-
tain-General. It is very probable, also, that he was not
wholly unaware of how the friend of Alburquerque had
formerly thought, spoken, and written of Cuesta's jealousies
and incapacity, and that he was glad of an opportunity of
revenging himself. But of Cuesta more hereafter.
Major-General Whittingham to Colonel Torrens.^
'Palm A, Uh July, 1811.
' My dear Torrens, — I hasten to inform you of my
arrival here, and to assure you that I shall lose no oppor-
tunity of giving you an exact account of everything that
occurs, and particularly relative to this army of reserve.
In the meantime I must inform you that your friend.
Captain Clarke, having gone as a volunteer with General
Blake to Estremadura, it was not in my power to take
him with me when I left Cadiz ; but I sent him a message
by Lord William Eussell,f desiring him to join me as soon
as possible, and offering him a troop) of Hussars. . . .
' The unfortunate loss of Tarragona has deprived me of
200 Catalans, who were upon the point of being sent here;
but the number will be easily made up in Valencia and
Murcia. I am extremely anxious to organize a few
battalions, as the force at present on the island is so very
small that we cannot by any means be considered in a
state of security. We have in the island of Cabrera, 4,000
prisoners ; a considerable part of them Germans from
Westphalia and Hesse Cassel, and consequently good
soldiers, and not attached to French principles. If I had
* Military Secretary to H.R.H. the Duke of York^ afterwards Sir Henry
Torrens, who died as Adjutant-General at the Horse-Guards in 1828.
t Elder brother of Earl Russell, afterwards Major-General, and in 1836
Envoy at Berlin.
LETTER TO MR. WELLESLEY. 139
the power of selecting, I could get some excellent recruits.
There are also eighty officers prisoners, belonging to these
men in this island, and it certainly would be very much
for the good of the service that they should be removed
elsewhere without loss of time, as they are daily forming
to themselves an interest with the inhabitants.
' I remain, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Major-General Whittingham to the Right Eon. Henry
Wellesley.
(Extract.)
* Palma, 1st August, 1811.
' I have the honour to enclose a copy of my letter of
this day's date to Mr. Bardaxi,"* bemg also a copy of that
which I have written to the Minister of War, relative to
certain points of service, which if they are not finally and
satisfactorily settled, must lead to the most unpleasant
disputes between myself and General Cuesta. You will
have the goodness to observe that I rest my argument
upon the Spanish ordenanza^ which provide, that whenever
a reunion of troops be ordered in any province of the
monarchy, and a General appointed to command them,
all military command of these troops is vested in him, and
the Captain-General of the province has only to direct with
regard to the civil jurisdiction, destination of quarters, &c.
' I have already experienced a sufficient degree of oppo-
sition from General Cuesta to alarm me at least for the
future ; and I am, therefore, extremely anxious, that by a
complete and total separation of command, every possible
disagreement should be avoided. . .
' The conscription and war contribution may meet witli
* A member of the Junta, well-disposed to the English. The enclosures
are all in Spanish, in which language he carried on his correspondence with
all the Spanish authorities ever since his arrival in the country, as he wrote
and spoke it as fluently as English.
140 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
those obstacles which originate in intrigue ; but I am
satisfied that they may, as far as concerns the people, be
carried into effect without difficulty or danger.
'I beg to call your attention in the most earnest man-
ner to the settling of the points of service mentioned in
the enclosed letter ; as I am convinced that there can be
no other way of avoiding disputes which must inevitably
in the end ruin the plan altogether.'
To prove what difficulties General Whittingham
had to contend with in his dealings with General Cuesta,
Lord Wellington's remark to Mr. Wellesley in his dispatch
of the 29th August, 1811, is worthy of record ; viz. ' I am
quite convinced that the majority of the officers of the
Spanish army would prefer submitting to the French, to
allowing us to have anything to say to their troops.'*
On the 23rd August, 1811, General Whittingham dis-
patched a letter, containing four foolscap pages, to Mr.
Wellesley ; sending on the same day a similar letter to
Marquis Wellesley in London, and a copy besides to his
brother-in-law. It was a brief treatise on the Island of
Majorca, under three distinct points of view. First^ as to
its intrinsic value. Secondly^ as to the security it affords
Port Mahon. Thirdly^ as to the best means of deriving
from it every advantage, with the least possible expense.
At that time, as we have seen, Lord Wellington attached
great importance to the possession of the Balearic Islands.
But the interest of this subject having wholly passed away,
it is unnecessary to make any extracts from this docu-
ment.
On the 20th September, in a friendly letter to the naval
officer then at Palma, the Honourable Captain Blackwood,
he rejoices at the departure of the French prisoners, whose
presence and machinations had given him so much trouble ;
adding, ' The friends of the good cause hold up their heads
* Wellington Dispatches, vol. viii. p. 244.
COMMISSARIAT ARRANGEMENTS. 141
and begin to fancy themselves out of danger ; and, on the
other hand, the French party are become circumspect
and silent.' After alluding to some consular intrigues, he
adds : ' I am sorry to inform you that the Captain-General
[Cuesta] has taken possession, for his own riding, of the
horse which I intended for you. I am not surprised,
though the enemy was, at your having taken up an
anchorage at Hare's Bay. Sir Edward [PellewJ's cha-
racter is too well known to allow of a supposition that he
would leave anything undone which could be done.' . . .
On the 20th September he writes to Admiral Sir Edward
Pellew, amongst other matters, as follows : ' I cannot help
expressing how much service it would be rendering the
division, if you could possibly allow the " Guadalope^'' or
any other small vessel, to go to Oran, to take the money
for the purchase of the barley, and to bring the vessel
loaded with that grain.* The Junta superior of this
island has positively refused to provide me either with
barley or straw. And, although I conceive that their
conduct will not be sanctioned by the Eegency, yet, as it
is impossible to wait in these cases for distant decision, I
have directed a person of confidence at Oran to buy, for
the use of this army, 7,000 fanegas of barley. But I am
totally without the means of bringing barley here, or of
sending him the money which he must have advanced for
the purpose. I enclose a fresh return of the force under
my command, which you will see is gradually increasing.'
It is quite impossible to give in this work an adequate
idea of the labours and difficulties which General Whit-
tingham had to contend with in Majorca. Their contem-
plation fills the Editor's mind with astonishment, that such
a burden of responsibility, care, labour, and ceaseless
annoyance, should have been not only endured with
temper and patience, but carried out to a triumphant con-
* Thus lie acted as the commissary, as well as the paymaster of the
division which he had to raise, organize, disciplifie, instruct, and command.
142 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
elusion, by an almost solitary Englishman in the midst of
lialf-eivilized Spaniards.
Colonel Torrens, Military Secretary^ to Mr. Davis.'*
(Extract.)
' Horse-Guards, 22nd September , 1811.
' My dear Davis, — I return you the interesting papers
enclosed to me in your letter of the 20th instant ; and I
am most thankful to you for the perusal of them.' [After
alluding to the interesting command now held by Whit-
tingham, he adds], ' He will have many difficulties to
encounter ; but I know no person so well calculated to
overcome them.'
On the 1st October, General Whittingham wrote a
long letter to Lieutenant- Colonel Torrens, detailing his
proceedings in the raising and organization of his Divi-
sion ; a few extracts from which may be interesting : —
' I expect, in a short time, 300 horses from the coast
of Africa. The requisition in this island will give me at
least 200 more ; and the officer employed on that service
in Sardinia, informs me that he can purchase for me on
this island from 600 to 700 more, as soon as I furnish him
with the pecuniary means. So that, as to mounting my
two regiments of cavalry, I am under no alarm, and you
may be assured that they shall not be wanting as to disci-
pline. Still, however, there is always a shade of doubt
upon my mind ; inasmuch as they will be wholly com-
posed of new levies, and, consequently, at first they must
be incapable of comprehending the full extent of their
own powers. Even the oldest and best of the Spanish
troops never fight [by themselves] as they do in the pre-
sence of the British. How much stronger, therefore, must
* This letter is written on the back of the docket enclosing the returned
papers.
HIS PEOMOTION TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. 143
this necessity be, when the troops in question have never
been under fire ! ' The concluding sentence of this letter
refers to a most gallant Irishman, doomed to an early but
glorious death. ' If it be possible, I should much v^ish
that Captain O'Eeilly, of the 13th Foot, should be sent
to me with leave to serve in the Spanish army, I knew
him well at [High] Wycombe, and he would be parti-
cularly useful to me in the Quarter-m aster-General's
Department.'
On the same day (the 1st October) General Whitting-
ham describes to his brother-in-law, his joy at the news of
his promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel, which had evidently
taken place only in August ; but was afterwards back-
dated to 30th May, 1811.
On the 7 th October, General Whittingham writes to
Mr. Davis a long letter regarding the struggles carried on
in Majorca, between the patriotic party, anxious in order
to further the organization of the Division of troops, to
increase General Wliittingham's powers, by causing him
to be made Governor of Majorca ; and the opposite fac-
tion, which from jealousy of the Englishman, and from
love of intrigue, violently opposed the project. To his
brother-in-law the General writes : — ' In respect to the
Government of Majorca, it is to me a matter of perfect
indifference, although the person actually holding that
employment is certainly a very improper man [to hold it],
from his too well-known attachment to French principles.
But I should wish to be acquainted with the sentiments
of His Majesty's Ministers on that head, in case General
Valdes, who is now appointed Captain-General of the
Balearic Islands*, instead of Cuesta, should press the
employment upon me.'
Enclosed in this letter to Mr. Davis was a copy of the
Eeport of a certain very intelligent Captain of the Spanish
* Either this was a false report, or the appointment was afterwards
cancelled.
144 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Eoyal Navy, who had been sent by General Whittingham,
on a special mission, to Cadiz, to defend his interest and
the good of the cause, with Mr. Wellesley and the Spanish
Junta. As a graphic description of some of the difficulties
in the way of carrying out the Majorca scheme, and also as
a picture of Spanish intrigue, it may amuse some readers,
and is therefore inserted here : —
' Bemarhs and Occurrences^ in a Voyage from Majorca
to Cadiz and back^ by A. Briarly^ Captain Spanish
Navy, 1811.'
(Extract.)
' General Whittingham observed to me on the 22nd
July, that a foul plot or conspiracy has been entered into
by a French party in this island, for the purpose of giving
it up to the French ; and that they were in communication
with the French officers, [who were] prisoners in the
Castle of Belver. He at the same time urged the neces-
sity of my going to Cadiz with the dispatches ; as the
Junta had applied to him for an officer of confidence.
He also observed that there were many things of great
consequence, necessary for the use of his Division, which
I could at the same time apply for. I consented to go ;
but there was no vessel of any kind except a schooner
of eight guns, which had been taken [whilst] smuggling a
cargo of tobacco. This vessel lay empty at the Quay ; and
was ofiered to me, provided that I would man and victual
her ; as they were not able. This I consented to do ;
and on the morning of the 27th July I sailed from Palma
with thirty-six seamen on board.
' I arrived at Cadiz, on the 7th August, and imme-
diately waited upon the Eegency with my dispatches ;
next upon the Secretary of War, Heredia ; and, finally
upon the British Minister, Mr. Wellesley, who promised
me that he would do everything in his power to have me
CAPTAIN BRIARLY'S MISSION TO CADIZ. 145
dispatclied as soon as possible ; and that he v/ould see
about having the prisoners removed from Cabrera, and,
at all events, the officers from the island of Majorca
immediately.
' The Secretary of State [for War] assured me that he
would do everything in his power for the safety of the
island ; and that all General Whittingham's wants should
be paid attention to immediately. At the end of the first
week, however, I found that the only thing done to
forward me was the taking the schooner from me, in con-
sequence of a requisition made by the British Admiral
and [the British] Minister.
' I found that the promises, which I had obtained from
every part of the Government, were nothing more than
words of course. For at the end of August, although I
had not missed a single day without paying a visit to
every one of the Ministers upon the subject of my
dispatches, I was just where I started. The Bishop of
Majorca, Llaneres, and the two deputies in the Cortes for
the island, exerted themselves as much as possible also,
and were it not for their interference nothing would have
been accomplished.
' Mr. Wellesley observed to me, that General Whitting-
ham must not purchase provisions of any kind with the
money given to him ; as when that should be expended
he would not give him any more. He also desired me
to tell General Whittingham, that he was not to interfere,
in any way whatever, with the Government of the island,
nor in any of their political discussions ; that he was
solely to organize his division ; and not to have anything,
directly or indirectly, to do with anything that did not
concern it. This last observation was stated, no doubt, in
consequence of the dispatches of the Cortes for the
island having insisted on both the Captain-General [of the
Balearic Islands], and the Governor of Palma being re-
L
146 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
moved ; and the Bisliop of Majorca and the others*
wishing to put in Admiral Valdes as Captain-General ;
and I am sure that it was, and is their intention still, to
have General Whittingham appointed Governor of
Palma.f And there can be little doubt of their succeed-
ing in their wishes, when they have got Valdes appointed
Captain-General. J
' On the 2nd September I called upon the British Vice
Consul, Mr. Archdeacon, to inquire if any of the trans-
ports loaded with clothing for General Whittingham had
[arrived], or were likely to arrive. On looking over his
books he told me, that there was a transport the
" Wellington^'' loaded with clothing for the General,
which had arrived and been in Cadiz for two months : and
that Mr. Wellesley had been informed of it on that
vessel's arrival. I went and told Mr. Wellesley, and he
observed that I might take her up to Majorca if I would
get a convoy for her. I applied to the agent of transports,
who wrote to the Admiral, he being out cruising off the
Gulf of Gibraltar ; and finally on the 10th [September] a
convoy was appointed.' Captain Briarly arrived in Palma
with his supplies on the 28th September, to the great joy
of his General, as may be well supposed.
General Whittingham was often apphed to by half-pay
British officers, and even by civilians, who wanted com-
missions in some regiment of his division. Some of them
came out strongly recommended. But as he had only a
few posts reserved for Englishmen (for fear of giving
great and impolitic offence to the Spaniards), so he was
generally compelled to decline such applications ; and
thus unintentionally to multiply his enemies, and to aug-
* The two deputies from Majorca.
t He means of Majorca, of which Palma is the capital.
X Valdes never was appointed Captain-General, and so the well-meant
scheme of the good Bishop and of the patriotic island deputies to increase
the powers of the English General, and thereby facilitate the formation of
the division, was frustrated.
A NEARLY EXHAUSTED PATIENCE. 147
ment the feelings of jealousy to wliich his high position in
the Spanish army often exposed him. But he kept his
temper, and continued with patient perseverance to fulfil
his onerous duties to the best of his power and judgment.
On the 29th of October, 1811, Greneral Whittingham
pointed out to Mr. Wellesley in a long dispatch the
breach of faith on the part of the Junta, and especially
of the war minister, in regard to the stipulations origi-
nally made as to the recruiting and organization of the
Majorca division ; one sentence in which is interesting,
from certain circumstances which eventually caused the
interference of Lord Wellington himself. ' By the
enclosed copy of a letter from General Valcarcel of the
24th September, you will see an attempt made to take
the inspection, and consequently the proposal of officers
out of my hands. For if all my propuestas^ are to be
submitted to the opinion of the Inspectors in Cadiz, it is
a perfect joke to decorate me with the title of Inspector-
General of this division.'
The jealousy of General Whittingham imbibed by some
of the Spanish ministers, vented itself in various annoying
ways, on which there is no space to dwell.
No wonder that at last, the patience which Mr. Wellesley
had admired,* when displayed in the lighter work at Isla
de Leon, was nearly exhausted by the heavy burden
at Majorca, and that to his brother-in-law he began to
display his half-formed wish to retire from the Spanish
service.
On the 2nd November, after passing nearly ^vq months
on the Island, he pours out all his feelings on the conduct
of those ' whose dearest interest it should be to protect
the formation of a division, which might lay the founda-
tion of the salvation of the Spanish monarchy ; but which,
at all events must ensure the safety of the Balearic Islands.
♦ Proposals or recommendations for promotions and appointments.
1, 2
148 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
The Minister of War is at the head of the whole intrigue ; *
and not a day passes without orders being given directly-
contrary to the basis of the agreement between Mr.
Wellesley and the Spanish Government ; and tending only
to a repetition of insults to induce me to throw up the
command, and leave the island.
' Had I only to do with the Spanish Government, I
should not have hesitated a moment ; but I am now
held by other ties to me ten thousand times more strong.
I am compromised with the British Government, and
therefore whatever may happen, I shall not take a single
step without its being first sanctioned by its appro-
bation.'
On the 10th, 11th, and 12th November, three more
letters, long and full, are dispatched to Mr. Wellesley,
exposing the conduct of the Spanish authorities and the
defenceless state in which they had left Majorca and the
injurious treatment which he had met at their hands.
The letter of the 12th commences thus: 'Every day
brings fresh proofs of the decided enmity borne by General
Cuesta to everything English, and of his particular hosti-
lity to me.' The letter continues :
' Conceiving it of importance to forward my dispatches
to you of the 11th and 10th of this moiith, by a safe
conveyance, I sent an officer of my staff to , General
Cuesta's secretary's office to ask for a passport to Cadiz,
for Lieutenant Fiel Macdoudel of His Majesty's 75th
Eegiment of infantry. The reception which this officer
met with is too scandalous to be related. The Captain-
General made use of language to him, which ought only
to be used by porters ; — asked him who had constituted
him the defender of Englishmen, and threatened him
with punishment if he again interfered in such like com-
missions.
* This was the man who scrupled not officially to worry and insult Lord
Wellington himself.
DIFFICULTIES WITH SPANISH OFFICIALS. 149
' Aware that this behaviour, on the part of the Captain-
General could only proceed from a desire to irritate me,
and, by throwing me off my guard, induce me to commit
myself by some act of violence, I abstained from seeing
him on the subject, and contented myself with sending him
an official letter requesting a passport for a British officer
to go to Gibraltar.
' The passport, which Lieutenant Macdoudel, who is
nephew to Colonel Campbell, will have the honour to
show you, was the answer. I beg leave once more to
state, that my stay here cannot but lead to the worst
consequences, unless the Captain-General be removed,
and unless the independence of my command be fully and
decidedly established.'
On the 13th and 25th November he again impresses on
the Minister the state of his relations with the Spanish
officials, and the difficulties he has to encounter in obtain-
ing necessary supplies for men and horses. In that of
the 25th, he reports on the enlisting of some Germans
into his division : ' Baron Halberg, an Austrian officer in
the service, was sent by me to Cabrera to choose out the
Germans only, and not even to take Italians or Poles.
He in consequence brought with him 133 men, all Ger-
mans, and who have since conducted themselves with the
greatest propriety.'
In a letter dated 7th September, 1811, Mr. Wellesley
writes : ' I am informed by M. de Bardaxi that the Junta
has consented that your troops should be supplied with
rations from the island ; that the necessary buildings will
be allotted for their accommodation, and that you are to
be allowed to recruit from the German prisoners at Ca-
brera to the extent of 600 men.'
On the 20th December General Whittingham congra-
tulates Mr. Wellesley upon his appointment, from simple
minister and envoy, to the post of ambassador extraordi-
150 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
nary, but accidentally omits entirely the title ' excellency '
which was now Mr. Wellesley's due. One sentence in
this letter, without comment of any kind, records a fact,
which must nevertheless, have afforded unspeakable relief
to the writer : ' I have only now to communicate the news
of the death of the Captain-General Don Gregorio de la
Cuesta.'
UNPOPULARITY OF ENGLISHMEN IN SPAIN. 151
CHAPTER VIII.
1812.
LETTEE TO SIR HENRY WELLESLEY — GENERAL WHITTINGHAli's VISIT
TO MINORCA — COLONEL SERRANO's REPORT OF THE ALARM IN HIS
ABSENCE — MILITARY COLLEGE ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL WHITTINGHAM
— A GENEROUS AND LIBERAL SPANISH BISHOP — VOLUMINOUS DISPATCH
TO MR. WELLESLEY — IMPORTANCE OP THE MAJORCA DIVISION — ITS
NUMERICAL STRENGTH AT THIS TIM E WEAK — SH0CE:ING STATE OV
SPANISH OFFICERS IN PALMA — CONDITIONAL RESIGNATION OF COMMAND
— MAJORCA DIVISION TO OPERATE ON EASTERN COAST UNDER LORD
WILLIAM BENTINCK — LETTER TO SPANISH MILITARY INTENDANT — A
JUSTIFIED ASSURANCE GIVEN TO THE ADMIRAL — URGENT REQUEST FOR
A PAYMASTER — GENERAL WHITTINGHAM EMBARKS WITH HIS DIVISION
— RESIGNS HIS COMMAND PROSPECTIVELY — IS FLATTERINGLY REQUESTED
TO RELINQUISH HIS DESIGN — HIS GRATEFUL REPLY TO THE AMBAS-
SADOR— SUCCESSFUL AFFAIRS OF POSTS — A MILITARY DIVERSION — THE
PAYMASTER DIFFICULTY — A PROSPECT OF RELIEF.
One of the great disadvantages under which General
Whittingham laboured was that the unpopularity of the
Spaniards with the English army abroad, and with Eng-
lishmen at home, extended itself to the English officers
employed in the Spanish service. The extra army rank
of these agents, though for the most part only local and
temporary yet, perhaps not unnaturally, excited the jea-
lousy of the regimental officers. Lord Welhngton, how-
ever, very early in the war, recorded his opinion that
no officers more deserved their promotion than the British
agents with the Spanish army; whose duties, indeed,
were arduous and hazardous, and required much exertion
and intelligence to perform them efficiently. Lord
Wellington was not always satisfied with all of them, but
all the readers of his dispatches knew that he recorded
152 MEMOIR OP Sm S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
his complete satisfaction at the close of the war, with the
conduct of General Whittingham, who, whilst only a
Captain in the British army, had been addressed by his
Lordship as a Spanish Major-General. Nevertheless the
year 1811 had not on the whole been a fortunate one to
the Major-General. But 1812 opened more cheerfully ;
the death of General Cuesta having removed one great
enemy to the raising of the Majorca division under the
command of an Englishman.
Major-General Whittingham to the Bight Hon,
TIeriry Wellesley.
(Extract.)
' Palma, Qth January, 1812.
' Enclosed I have the honour to send you a return of
the force under my command, by which you will see its
gradual increase. The state of discipline of this small
corps is so far advanced, that they manoeuvre in line
without difficulty, and the interior of regiments will bear
the minutest inspection.
' I beg leave to submit to your better judgment the
good effect that would be produced by the naming Briga-
dier Marquis de Vivot my second in command. He w^as
wounded in Catalonia, but he is now well enough to
mount on horseback. The Marquis is the head of the
nobility of this island, has very considerable estates here,
and is particularly attached to the English. It is at his
express desire that I take the liberty of soliciting this
favour.'*
About the 24th of January General Whittingham em-
barked for Minorca on some military business, returning
to Palma in fifteen days. The following is the translation
* Mr. Wellesley's answer is not extant, but there can be little doubt that
the request here made was complied with.
HIS VISIT TO MINORCA. 153
of an official letter written to him by liis Chief of the
Staff during his absence.* It proves how necessary to
the peace and security of Majorca was the presence of the
energetic English commander : —
Colonel Francisco Serrano to Major-General
Whittingham,
^ Palma, Qth February, 1812.
'General, — From circumstances, which have occurred
here during the thirteen days of your absence, I am
very anxious for your return ; and have determined to
dispatch Captain Dominguez to you with this letter,
giving a detail of the events most deserving your at-
tention.
' Shortly after your departure reports were circulated
of a rising and assembling of the people ; and some
attempts were made to seduce the soldiers of the division,
who immediately communicated the fact to their officers ;
and from other circumstances that occurred, I conceived
it prudent to assemble the commanding officers. I issued
out ammunition ; secretly reinforced the guards ; and
pointed out their alarm-posts to the different corps, in
such a manner that, at the least commotion, they should
assemble and occupy the most important posts, to support
the public authorities, and to quell any tumult which
might arise.
'I conceived it prudent to take these necessary
measures of precaution, as the alarm had been very
general, and had extended itself to all the constituted
authorities. The commanding officers of corps have
behaved as you could wish, and may be fully depended
upon in case of need.
'I have, &c.,
' Feancisco Serrano.'
* It appears that tlie letter was written only two days before the return
of the General from Minorca, and was probably delivered to him on
landing.
154 MEMOm OF SIE S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
The following letter speaks for itself : —
To Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.
^ Palma, Uth February, 1812.
' Sir, — I have the honour to enclose the prospectus
and regulations of a college for the officers and cadets
of the division under my command, which I have
established in this town.
. ' From the entire neglect of education in Spain,
during the last twenty years, and more particularly since
the Eevolution, most of the young men commencing
their mihtary careers as cadets scarcely know how to
read and write. The expense of the establishment at
the present moment would have been a serious objec-
tion, had it not been done away with by the zeal and
patriotism of various individuals.
' The Bishop of Majorca [Llaneres] — independently of
a donation of 20,000 reals vellon* — has given up a
house for the academy. The masters have all under-
taken their employments gratis ; and as the officers and
cadets all beloQg to the division, I have the satisfaction
of seeing my ideas realized, without the smallest expense,
either to the British or Spanish Government.
' I have, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Major-General Whittingham to the Bight Hon.
H. Wellesley.
(Extract.)
' Palma, ISth February, 1812.
' Sir, — I have the honour to inform you of the arrival
of Colonel Campbell on the 8th instant, and beg leave
to offer you my warmest thanks for your very zealous
* ^200. So generous and liberal-minded a bishop in Spain was truly a
wonderful phenomenon.
REPORT ON MAJORCA 155
interference and support in .obviating the many diffi-
culties under which I have hitherto laboured ; the result
of which will, I feel assured, prove highly beneficial to
this division.
"I beg leave to enclose for your information the
following papers : —
' No. 1. The translation of my exposition to the
Junta ; which I felt myself imperiously called upon to
make, from the critical position this island is placed in,
owing to the late success of the enemy on the opposite
coast.
" No. 2. My letter to the Admiral.
'' No. 3. Copy of a letter to me from the Chief of my
Stafi* during my absence.
" No. 4. General return of the strength of the division.*
" No. 5. Translation of my observations on Puerto Pi,
a small port in the Bay of Palma ; and the advantages
which might be derived from employing the French
prisoners in its enlargement."
' I found it necessary to go to Minorca, for the pur-
pose of personal communication with the Admiral,
relative to the prisoners here, and other important
points, and my absence was prolonged by contrary
winds to fifteen days.
" The Admiral was pleased to express his unqualified
approbation and concurrence in the proposed system
of pontoons ; and offered to fit them out, and equip
them completely, and to send a frigate and brig to
guard them. He also expressed his earnest desire that
I should establish the telegraphs as soon as possible.
'The excellent disposition and the zealous support
which I have experienced from the [^acting'] Captain
General Gregory will make me regret the loss of one
* No copy of this return has reached the Editor's hands.
156 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
SO every way qualified for this important command ; as
he combines discernment and judgment with energy,
and decision, and has given me his most decided support
in everything relative to the division, and, as you will
see, by No. 3, we require here one of his firm and de-
termined character.
'A levy of all the idle strangers takes place to-mor-
row ; and the Alistamento Generate immediately fol-
lows. The volunteers of Colonel Campbell's battalion,
not having presented themselves within the period
allotted, the privilege of limited service is done away
with, and no exceptions are to be permitted in the con-
scription.
' On referring to No. 3, you will perceive that the
disaffected party here were in movement during my
absence ; tampering with the troops, posting placards,
&c. But their attempts were rendered abortive by the
excellent disposition of the officers, whose conduct it
is impossible to praise more forcibly, than by stating
that they obeyed the orders of the Chief of my Staff,
(although there were several of superior rank) with the
same zeal and promptitude as though I had been pre-
sent. The same excellent dispositions were manifested
by the soldiers of the division.
' I must beg leave to call to your attention our finan-
cial necessities, and to submit to your better judgment
the importance of the Balearic Islands, whose safety, at
this critical moment, may be confidently said to de-
pend on the existence of this division, the resources
of which must entirely depend on your countenance and
support.
'Convinced that nothing is so much wanting among
Spanish officers as the means of the acquiring military
information — and satisfied of the necessity of giving to
the cadets a military education, — I have established a
college here on the basis of the enclosed prospectus.
ESTABLISHES A MILITARY COLLEGE. 157
It was opened yesterday, in the presence of the Captain
General, several Bishops, and all the principal officers
and people of rank in the Island.
'It is not a trifling consideration, at the present mo-
ment, to be able to say that the estabhshment will be
of no expense. The generosity of the Bishop has fur-
nished us with a house, and 20,000 rs. vn. to purchase
books, &c., and as all the masters attend gratis, and the
officers and cadets belong to the division, no disburse-
ment of any kind will be necessary.'
The safety of the Balearic Islands was considered of
great importance at that time by Lord Wellington ; and
General Whittingham was in constant correspondence
with the Admiral and Ambassador, upon the defence of
the Islands, and upon plans for future aggressions against
the enemy on the main-land. These letters display a
consummate military knowledge both in theory and in
detail ; but the extracts must here be limited to a few of
the most interesting particulars.
To the Bight Hon. H. Wellesley.
(Extract.)
* Palma, 2lst Fehmanj, 1812.
' The force at present under my command is only 2,200
men ;* but if I may judge from the firm measures adopted
by General Gregory, this number will be more than
doubled in less than two months : and nothing would
give me so much pleasure as to be employed in any plan
of attack which might merit Sir Edward [Pellewj's ap-
probation.
* Hitherto the comparatively slow growth of the division had been
caused mainly by the hostilities of old General Ciiesta, and by the jealousy
of the Minister of War, and the neglect of provincial Juntas to fulfil their
engagements.
158 MEMOIR OF SIU S. F. AVHITTINGHAM.
' As the difficulties we have hitherto met with will pro-
bably cease now that a Eegency is appointed, so every
way deserving of the national confidence, and which
appears so completely to merit your approbation, I
have not the smallest doubt that a few months will en-
able me to repay the confidence with which you have
honoured me, by efficient co-operation [on my part], with
the Admiral in his plans of attack ; at the same time that
I may be able to answer for the safety of these valuable
Islands.
'However, the finances of Majorca are in such confusion,
as to make it wholly out of its power to meet the expense
of paying the troops ; and indeed, to such a state are they
reduced that the officers of the 2nd and 3rd battalions of
Cordova and Burgos are literally begging charity ; and a
few days ago, one of them fainted away in the coffee-room
from absolute want.^ Foreseeing, as I must of necessity
do, the situation in which I shall see myself, with the
troops under my command, should my pecuniary re-
sources entirely fail, I take the liberty of earnestly en-
treating you — not only as British Ambassador, but as a
friend, to whose kindness I have been indebted for many
favours, — that, should the British Government consider
the existence of a division of 4,000 or 5,000 men in the
Island of Majorca, as not necessary either for co-operation
in the plans of attack of Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, or
for the defence and security of the Balearic Islands, — and
should therefore determine to lend it no further assistance
— you will have the goodness to obtain an order to have
all these troops sent immediately to any part of the con-
tinent that may be judged proper ; and, at the same time
to give in my resignation to the Spanish Government, in
order that I may proceed without loss of time to join the
* In the original the words (judging by the book into which the letter
was copied) do not appear to have been underlined; but the Editor deems
them worthy of italics.
AFFAIRS IN MAJORCA. 159
British army in Portugal. It will be the last time, my
dear sir, that I shall be troublesome to you ; but I do most
earnestly beg and entreat, that you will add this favour to
the very long list, and enable me to avoid the wretchedness
of witnessing the misery of those we esteem, without
[having] the power of applying any remedy.'
In a letter from Lord Wellington to Sir Henry Wellesley,
KB., dated 'Badajoz, 11th April, 1812,' there occurs this
sentence, ' Fourthly ; that 3,000 men of General Eoche's
division at Alicante, and 3,000 men of General Whitting-
ham's division at Majorca, should be prepared to be em-
barked early in June, in order to join and co-operate on
the eastern coast, with the troops under Lord William
Bentinck, which will come from Sicily.' In another letter
from the same to the same, dated 17th May, Lord Wel-
lington appears to have rightly estimated the future
strength of the Majorca division, which (after the deatli
of General Cuesta and the change of Eegency in Spain)
had already considerably augmented in numbers. 'There
are other points for consideration,' (writes Lord Welling-
ton), ' First ; how many men is it expedient to leave in
Majorca for the defence of the Island, of the 7,000 of
which it is supposed General Whittingham's division will
consist ? Secondly, General Whittingham's division will
have been newly raised, excepting 3,000 men. How many
of the 7,000 men would it be expedient to leave behind,
as being recruits and unfit for service ? '
On that same date (and the day following) General
Whittingham was corresponding with the Admiral and
the Ambassador, on the details of the expedition, embar-
kation, &c.
He had also to correspond semi-officially with his
father-in-law, who was military intendant of Majorca in
the service of the King of Spain : —
160 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Major-General Whittingham to Don Pedro Creus»
' Palma, 18th May, 1812.
' My dear Sir, — The extreme distress in which I have
found this island at my return from Cadiz, in spite of
every effort of the Marquis of Compigny * to provide
against the growing difficulties, makes me particularly
anxious to call your attention to this important point, in
the hopes that you will use your best endeavours with Sir
Edward Pellew, to induce him to aid and assist us in our
manifold wants.
' The Marquis is ready to give me 2,000 conscripts im-
mediately, which will complete the division to 5,000 men.
But as even for the existing force it is almost impossible
to find bread, he will, I much fear, be induced to delay
the levies of men till after the harvest, which would be
too late to be of any service to the division. If it were
possible for Sir Edward Pellew to furnish me with a suffi-
cient quantity of flour to supply the rations of 5,000 men
at one and a half pound of bread [per day] for one month,
the harvest would be got in, and our difficulties would be
at an end. But without this assistance I am too well con-
vinced that I shall not be able to effect the organization
of the proposed division as speedily as I would wish, and
as the service I know will require.
' Should it be in Sir Edward's power to furnish us with
the proposed supply, the 4,000 conscripts will be given
me immediately ; and the Marquis will give bills on the
Spanish Government for the supply. Have the goodness
to state the extreme necessity of our case to Sir Edward ;
and believe me to be, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
He wrote also direct to Sir Edward, on the same
* Now Captain-General of the Balearic Islands.
LETTER TO SIR EDWARD PELLEW. 161
subject, and estimated the force he proposed to embark,
including some expected troops from Alicante, at up-
wards of 4,200 men.
The following letter is worthy of record, for it con-
tains a prophecy which was destined to be no idle or
sanguine boast, but a fact established on undeniable
testimonies : —
To Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.
' Palma, 2m May, 1812.
' My dear Sir, — The extreme anxiety which I feel to
get the division in a perfect state to meet your's and
Lord William [Bentinckj's wishes by the end of next
month, makes me, I fear, very troublesome. But your
well-known zeal for the service will plead my best
excuse.
' For God's sake press Compigny not to lose a moment's
time ; and you may rest assured that the troops of this
small and gallant division will prove themselves worthy of
fighting by the side of Englishmen.
* I have, &c.,
'Samford Whittingham.'
On the 28th May he sends to Sir Henry Wellesley his
accounts of expenditure and receipts, and trusts that by
the end of June his division will amount to 4,000 effective
muskets, exclusive of cavalry and artillery ; and he repeats
the promise of their future effectiveness in the field in
nearly the same words as he had lately addressed to the
Admiral.
To the Right Hon. Sir H. Wellesley^ K.B,
' Palma, ^Oth June, 1812.
' Sir, — The division being now paid by the British
Government, according to the existing agreement between
M
162 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the allied courts, I beg to submit to your Excellency's con-
sideration the necessity of appointing a British paymaster -
general, or other officer, who will be responsible for, and
charged with the accounts of the division.
'Hitherto those accounts have been kept by persons
appointed by the Spanish Government for that purpose ;
and I have taken the precaution to have them regularly
examined, and made out in triplicates. But it is utterly
impossible that in the midst of active duties, I can remain
charged with such a weight of responsibility, and with ac-
counts of so complicated a nature.
' I trust that you will perceive the necessity of calling
the attention of His Majesty's Government to this im-
portant object ; and that until a person so authorized can
come from England, you will be pleased to send an
officer of the Paymaster's department to take charge of
the accounts of this division, which will be more satisfac-
tory to your Excellency. Besides, should any accident
happen to me, the presence of such a person would ob-
viate every difficulty, which would otherwise arise. And
I trust that your Excellency will pardon my pressing this
subject, and urging the speedy departure of the person
you may appoint, when you consider the very great re-
sponsibility attached to the families of persons entrusted
with public monies.
' I have, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
On the 24th July, 1812, the Majorca division embarked
at Palma : the infantry portion of which consisted of 159
officers, 3 chaplains, 8 surgeons and 4,180 non-commis-
sioned officers and men.*
From, ' on board the " Eomulus " at sea off Alicant ' on
the ' 8th August,' General Whittingham, amongst other
* Of the cavalry and artillery that embarked, no returns are extant.
RESIGNS HIS COxMMAND PROSPECTIVELY. 163
matters, again urges the affair of the pay mastership on Sir
Henry Wellesley. What led him the day following to
send in his resignation of his Spanish command can only
be surmized, as Sir Henry's letter which induced the re-
signation is not forthcoming.
Major-General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
' MuCHAMiEL, 2nd September, 1812.
' By the enclosed letter for Colonel Gordon, you will
see the state of the force which I brought with me ; [of]
that [which] I left at Palma, and Mahon ; and the total
strength of the division. The detail of our military opera-
tions is also enclosed.
' The troops under my command have conducted them-
selves with so much order and discipline, and have made
their marches in so military a manner, that they have
merited the approbation of everybody ; and I have not the
smallest doubt, that whenever we come into action, they
will do themselves much honour. But unless things are
put upon another footing, it is impossible for me to
continue in this command.' [He then repeats his pay-
mastership grievances and adds] ' I have repeatedly written
to Sir Henry Wellesley requesting to have a paymaster of
the division appointed, but without effect. And I have
finally written to him to say that as soon as a general
action will allow me to retire with credit, I shall give up
the command of the division and return to England. I am
sure that you will see the extreme necessity for taking a
speedy determination.'
However, Sir Henry Wellesley was in no hurry to ac-
cept of the resignation of such an officer : —
M 2
164 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
Sir Henri/ Wellesley, KB. to Major-General
Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Cadiz, Qth September, 1812.
' 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 9th August, which only reached me last
night.
' T can hardly bring myself to believe that the contents
of my letter of the 25th July can have given rise to the
resolution which you have announced to me of resigning
your present command. There was notliing in that letter
wdiich was intended to hurt your feelings, and if you will
recollect that I am personally responsible for every shilling
of public money placed at my disposal in the service of
Spain, you cannot be surprised that I should have adverted
to the expenses of your corps, and the necessity of con-
hning these expenses within certain limits.
' If your resolution to resign was occasioned by the con-
tents of my letter of the 27th July, I hope that this ex-
planation will satisfy you that it was written in the mere
performance of my duty, and that it was not intended in
any v.^ay to reflect on you personally.
' 1 believe that I might venture to add, that from the
moment of my arrival in Spain, I have given you all the
assistance and support in my power, and I am sincerely
disposed to continue them to you, as long as the means of
doing so shall be entrusted to me. I cannot therefore but
hope that you will be induced to relinquish your intention
of resigning.'
No doubt the fact of his being still left without the as-
sistance of a paymaster had, in the confinement of a ship,
preyed with additional force upon the mind of General
Whittingham, and caused him to feel acutely those criti-
cisms as to his official expenditure, to which all officers in
HIS GRATEFUL REPLY TO THE AMBASSADOR. 165
command are liable. Perhaps also his anxious desire to
provide for the comfort of his officers and men inclined
him to greater liberality than governments are usually
prepared to sanction.
On the 21st September General Whittingham writes a
long and grateful letter to Captain General O'Donnell the
hero of Catalonia, who had written to him a very com-
plimentary epistle on the state of the Majorca division.
3Iaj or- General Whittingham to Sir Henry Wellesley.
(Extract.)
* MucHAMiEL, ^rd October, 1812.
' Dear Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the .
receipt of your letter of the 6th September ; and I beg
leave to return you my most grateful thanks for this
fresh proof of your kindness and attention. I should
be the most ungrateful man alive were I even for a
moment to forget the many and great favours which I
have received at your hands ; and it will ever be the
first wish of my heart to acknowledge publicly and
privately my sentiments of gratitude and respect to-
wards you. It is quite sufficient for me to know that
you wish me to continue in the command of this di-
vision, to do away with every idea of giving it up. But
at the same time I wish with all respect to call to your
mind the delicacy of my situation. The only thing that
I ever had a dread of was to become a public accountant !
As long, however, as the troops were in garrison I con-
ceived, that by the greatest care and attention, and with
the assistance of Colonel Campbell, I might have every
accoimt, with all the requisite receipts, arranged monthly,
and thus be always in a state to meet examination. But
now that the troops are in campaign, and that I am un-
avoidably exposed to lose my papers by any of tlie very
many accidents that so often occur in war, I tremble at a
166 ]VJEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
responsibility that may not only ruin my own private
fortune, but, what is infinitely worse, compromise my
good name and place my honour in doubt in the public
opinion. Allow me to say, my dear sir, with the freedom
which your friendship entitles me to use, that you are not
in the same situation. It is true that you are answerable
for the public monies entrusted to your charge : but there
can be no difficulty in showing the sums that you have
entrusted to me ; and for the expenditure I alone am
answerable. I have ever been of opinion that it is not
sufficient for a man to be most honourable in all the
transactions of life, [but that] it is indispensable that he
should never be stained by even the shadow of a doubt.
Having said thus much, I shall forbear in future to return
to tliis unpleasant subject.'
To his Brother-in-law,
< MucHAMiEL, 20th October, 1812.
' The Majorca division has the honour of occupying all
the outposts of the army. I am just returned from them,
and avail myself of the opportunity of a vessel going to
Cadiz to let you know what is going on. We have had
since our arrival a great number of affairs of posts, in all
of which my troops have been successful ; and have in
consequence begun to form a character which I hope and
trust will soon be established. My force at present is
rather more than 6,000 men ; but I expect another bat-
talion from Minorca in a few days, which will complete
my force to 7,000 men.* I have besides two strong bat-
talions in Majorca clothed and formed by me, which the
Captain-General, Marquis de Compigny, has refused to
send to me. But I have written to Sir Henry Wellesley
* lie was only a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British service then, and in
that capacity could not have expected a command of more than six or eight
hundred men.
SUCCESSFUL AFFAIRS OF POSTS. 167
and the Spanish Government on the subject, and daily
expect their positive order to bring them here.
'On the 18th, the French of the army of Suchet fell
back from Sax, Villena, and Biar, upon Fuente la Higuera;
and from Alcoy upon Concentayna, Albayda, and San
Felipe. In consequence of this movement, my advanced
posts are now at Sax, Biar, and Alcoy.
' If you should be able to procure me a good strong
hunter, and send him out to me at Cadiz, or at Alicante,
you would do me the greatest favour. I have several good
horses, but not one of right good confidence for a long day's
action. Hart would, I dare say, undertake the commis-
sion. I wish you both joy of your success. I have read
Hart's maiden speech with delight.*
Mr. E. H. Davis had just been returned for the first
time as member for Bristol, and been succeeded at Col-
chester by his eldest son, whose very great abilities gave
promise of a brilHant parliamentary career, which was too
soon frustrated, by the state of his health compelling him
to retire from parliament.
General Whittingham soon afterwards cancelled the
commission for another horse, as finding the expenses of
a General of Division were already beyond his means, both
public and private.
To the Same.
' MuCHAMiEL, ISth December, 1812.
' I advanced a few days since with the whole of my
division on Alcoy, to make a diversion in favour of Gene-
ral Elio, who was to have attacked Eequena. His move-
ment did not take place ; and, after occupjring Alcoy
some days, I received orders to break up, and to reoccupy
my former cantonments. My troops have in charge the
whole of the outposts of the army.'
168 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
To the Same.
* Mtjchamiel, 2dth Decemhet-y 1812.
' As Sir Henry Wellesley has not engaged to supply me
for the present with more than 35,000 dollars monthly —
which I understand he gives me out of the money at his
disposal for the service of Spain — I much fear that
nothing will be done in regard to the paymaster, unless
the British Government should agree to take a certain
number of battalions and regiments of cavalry into their
pay ; and this, I should suppose, they would not do
without consulting Lord Wellington. I am not aware
that Sir Henry has ever officially desired that a paymaster
should be appointed to this division. I should think that
he had not. But as far as I am concerned, I should pre-
fer very much giving up the command altogether to the
continuing a responsibility which sooner or later will in
all probability reduce me to beggary ! You well know
the money I have spent in Spain.* . . . Thus,
whilst others have been making fortunes, I have been
spending more than I could aiFord, without any security
that, at the winding-up of the peace, the complication of
long and difficult accounts may not ruin my character
and my fortune.'
On the 30th December, he states that he had forwarded
to Mr. Wellesley an application for the paymastership of
the division from Captain Foley, and a prospect of relief
from an unjust and intolerable burden closed the year
1812.
* Out of his private fortune he means, having got into debt, besides
spending all his private income, in the country. He had afterwards to sell
out some of his original capital.
LOKD Wellington's instructions. 169
CHAPTEE IX.
1813.
LORD Wellington's instructions — lord Wellington repttses the
INSPECTORSHIP TO GENERAL WHITTINGHAM — THE FRENCH ATTEMPT TO
SURPRISE XIGONA — TREACHERY OF AN ITALIAN REGIMENT — COLONEL
WALKER AND OFFICERS OF H.M.'S 58tH REGIMENT — LORD WELLINGTON
GRANTS THE PREVIOUSLY REFUSED INSPECTORSHIP — HIS RELUCTANCE
TO THE MEASURE — DIFFERENT STYLE ADOPTED TO ANOTHER AGENT —
GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE SPANISH CAPTAIN RUTI — GENEROUS CON-
DUCT OF THE FRENCH CAPTORS — A SUCCESSFUL RUSE — A BRAVE SPANISH
LIEUTENANT — THE FRENCH DRIVEN BY GENERAL WHITTINGHAM
THROUGH THE PASS OF ALBAYDA — GENERAL MURRAY'S TWO GENERAL
ORDERS — LORD WELLINGTON'S DISPATCH — GENERAL WHITTINGHAM'S
REPORT TO THE AMBASSADOR — CONCENTAYNA COMBAT — SIR HENRY
WELLESLEY'S congratulations — LORD WELLINGTON'S PROOF OF CON-
FIDENCE— THIRD GENERAL ORDER PRAISING WHITTINGHAM's DIVISION
— GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's REPORT TO SIR JOHN MURRAY — BATTLE
OF CASTALLA — SIR JOHN MURRAY'S DISPATCH TO LORD WELLINGTON —
AT CASTALLA SPANIARDS RIVALLED THE BRITISH — ANECDOTE FROM
THE ^RECOLLECTIONS.'
In the lOth volume of the ' Wellington Dispatches ' there
is a long letter from Lord Wellington to Major-General
Whittingham, dated Cadiz, 8th January, 1813. Amongst
Sir Samford Whittingham's papers there was found a kind
of condensed extract from this letter (probably made
with the view of translating it for the benefit of the offi-
cers of his now considerable division) comprising all that
he thought necessary to publish, and which will doubtless
also be sufficient for the reader. Lord Wellington was a
Spanish grandee,* and Commander-in-Chief at this time,
of the Spanish, as well as of the British, army : —
* He had been created Duke of Ciudad Kodrigo.
170 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
Copy of the Order of His Excellency the Duke of Ciudad
Rodrigo to General Whittingham, dated Cadiz^ Sth
January, 1813.
' The corps of troops under your command in the
Peninsula is one of those which I am desirous should be
paid out of the funds set apart by Great Britain for the
support of the Spanish cause. The clothing, arms, and
furniture of the corps under your orders being for the
account of Great Britain, the said funds must by no means
be applied to the liquidation of those charges. Nor
must they be expended in provisions, hospitals, or means
of transport, as these branches are to be provided for by
the Spanish Government, in the same manner as for the
other Spanish troops. The pay of absent officers and
privates must likewise be for the account of the Spanish
Government ; for it is my intention that nothing be paid
out of the said funds to any officer or private not ap-
pearing on the monthly returns to be in the actual dis-
cliarge of his duty. The pay of the general and other
officers and privates of your division present, and in the
actual exercise of their duty, is all that should be supplied
put of those funds.
'You will send on the 20th of every month to His
Excellency Sir Henry Wellesley, an estimate of the money
wanted for the payment of the officers and privates under
your command for that month, on the principles before
expressed ; and on the receipt of the month's pay, whether
the produce of bills or otherwise, you will distribute it in
the proper proportions to the individuals entitled thereto,
taking their receipts, which will be your discharge for
the amount received. You will, however, adopt all
necessary means to ensure the just application of these
allowances to officers and privates, according to the regu-
lations of the Spanish service.
LORD Wellington's instkuctions. 171
*You will appoint Patrick Foley, Esq.,* to be Pay-
master-General of your division. He will take the detail
of this service under his direction and responsibihty ; and
as all payments are to be made one month in arrear, you
will take care that the money be distributed as soon as
received, as beforesaid.
'I do not wish the division under your orders to
exceed 6,000 effective men in the field. In order to
keep up this, you must establish a depot at Alicante ;
and I will take care that you shall receive the pay of
7,000 men, inclusively of such as are in hospital ; for
whom, as I said before, the Spanish Government must
provide.'
The appointment of Captain Foley was a truly great
relief, for which General Whittingham felt grateful. But
a few days later he received a letter from Lord Welling-
ton which caused him much vexation, as threatening to
nullify that independence of subordinate Spanish author-
ities, which from the incompetency of the latter, he
considered to be indispensable to the efficiency of his
division ; —
The Marquis of Wellington to Major-General
Whittingham,
* Fkeneda, 19fh February, 1813.
' Sir, — Sir Henry Wellesley has transmitted to me
your letter of the 3rd January, in regard to your holding
the office of inspector of the division of Spanish troops
under your command, and to the abuses and inconve-
niences to which your troops would be liable in case your
expectations in this respect were disappointed ; and
having conversed with the Chief of the staff, and with
the Inspectors-General of cavalry and infantry on this
* It would appea,r that Captain Foley was no longer in the regular army,
when he obtained his new appointment.
172 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHA!kr.
subject, I have been informed by each of those officers
that it was particularly settled with you, that when the
troops under your command should serve in the Penin-
sula,* they were to come under the control of the In-
spector's office, and were to have [Deputy] Inspectors
attached to them in the same manner as other [Spanish]
troops.
' This being the case, it remains to be considered
whether, adverting to the inconveniences to which joii
refer, it is proper I should now exempt the troops under
your command from this control. Upon this point I have
to observe, first, that I hope to be able to prevent the
abuses of which you complain, as well as of others ;
secondly, that even if I should not succeed entirely, it is
not worth while to enter into the disputes and complaints
which a partial departure from a system long established
in the Spanish army would occasion.
'I have therefore desired the Inspectors-General of
infantry and cavalry to appoint Deputy-Inspectors for
your division, and I beg you to submit to their control. 'f
' I have the honour to be, &:c.,
' Wellington.
'Major-General Whittingham.'
This letter was a truly discouraging one to General
Whittingham, but, as will be seen, it was soon rescinded.
To his Brother-in-law.
< San Juan, 22nd Fehmary, 1813.
'Your truly amiable and excellent friend General
Clinton remained only a very short time in command
here. Major-General Campbell, Adjutant-General to the
♦ In Majorca he had had the full powers and offices of Inspector, both of
cavalry and infantry, according to previous agreement,
t These orders were given by Lord Wellington, as Commander-in-Chief
of the Spanish armies.
TREACHERY OF AN ITALIAN REGIMENT. 173
army in Sicily, arrived soon after him and being his senior,
the command, of course, devolved upon him.
' In respect to the operations of the ensuing campaigns,
in my humble opinion, Lord Wellington himself must
open it before this army can do anything of consequence.
I beg leave to call your attention to the judicious position
taken up by Soult at Toledo, where he has his head-
quarters. He is in the centre of Lord Wellington's two
lines of operations ; and as his force is extended over La
Mancha, he would, in case of our moving forward upon
Valencia, be upon our left flank and rear before any as-
sistance could be received from Lord Wellington ! It is
therefore my opinion that his Lordship must open the
campaign himself, and, by drawing towards him the mass
of the French force enable us to make a brilliant and de-
cisive attack upon what remains.
' The French attempted a few nights since to surprise
Xigona, which is one of our outposts. One of the Italian
regiments raised by Lord William Bentinck in Sicily, and
composed from deserters from all parts of the world,
formed part of the garrison of Xigona. In the course of
forty-eight hours upwards of 86 men from this regiment
had passed over to the French ; and Colonel Grant
assured me that it was his opinion, and that of all his
officers, that none of the men could be depended on ;
and that it was his and their opinion that if they were
ordered to march to Alicante, the greater part of them
would desert on the road. The last party [of deserters]
had taken their officer witli them ; and had spared his
life only in consequence of the intercession of one of the
corporals.
' All circumstances considered, I determined to send
off an orderly dragoon to General Campbell, requesting
his instructions how to proceed. The general came in
the course of the morning to Xigona, and directed me
to disarm the regiment, and to send them as prisoners to
174 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
Alicante. The garrison of Xigona consisted of my bat-
talion of grenadiers and of this Italian regiment. On the
first alarm I had directed the battalion of Murcia to march
to Xigona ; and General Campbell had ordered the 1st
battalion 27th [Eegiment] to follow them, together with
a squadron of the 20th Dragoons. About half-past five
p.m. the British troops came up. The Italian regiment
was marched into an open space, and disarmed without
the smallest difficulty, and immediately afterwards
marched oJBfto Alicante, escorted by the 27th [Eegiment],
the squadron of dragoons, and my battalion of Murcia.
On their arrival at Alicante they were all sent on board
ship.
' I remained at Xigona with my battalion of grenadiers ;
and about eight p.m. the 1st battalion of the 58th [British
Regiment] marched in by Palomos, by General Campbell's
orders, to strengthen the post. The French (who were
undoubtedly in concert with the Italians, but who knew
nothing of what had passed) determined upon attacking
Xigona that night ; and at seven p.m. Generals Hubert
and Gudin marched from Alcoy with 1,500 infantry and
150 cavalry.
' At half-past two a.m. the firing of the outposts
began. The troops, both Spanish and English, were
under arms with admirable celerity ; and every disposi-
tion was taken to make it impossible for the enemy to
force the post. Our outposts were after some time
driven in, and the French descended to the ravine ; which
they could not, however, pass from the briskness of our
fire. They then extended themselves by their left to en-
deavour to open a communication with the Italian bar-
racks' [which they still believed to be occupied by their
friends].
' Upon the first glimpse of day we crossed the ravine
with the light companies ; and, upon ascending the hill
on the other side, we discovered the French columns more
COLONEL WALKER AND OFFICERS OF H.M.'s SStH. 175
than half-way up the mountain, and their light troops
covering their rear. They had probably discovered the
change which had taken place in the troops, and in con-
sequence [had] begun their retreat an hour before day-
light, leaving only a few light troops on the borders of
the ravine, being well assured that we should not quit the
strong position we occupied to attack them till daylight
should enable us to examine their force, and make our
dispositions in consequence. I had the satisfaction of
being told by Lieut.-Colonel [David] Walker and the
officers of the 58th [Regiment] that he and they should
be at all times most happy to serve under my orders, and
that they were all satisfied and delighted with the dis-
positions that I had made that night.* We took six
prisoners, and thus ended an afiair which I should not
have thought worth relating to you, but for the provi-
dential escape we all had, in consequence of having re-
moved the battalion of Italians that day.f For, had the
French been aided, as they expected, by these people, the
battalion of grenadiers and I [myself] must have been
sacrificed without the possibility of avoiding it. The
worst of all would have been the moral effect which it
would have produced in the country; where it would
have been generally believed that a British battahon (for,
being dressed in scarlet, they would have been supposed
to be British) had fired upon the Spaniards and joined the
* What enhances this compliment is the fact that Col. Walker was
considerably the senior in rank in the British service, and so continued.
t In the Recollections, it is said that ' Major Bourke, an Irish Austrian
officer of twenty-five years' service/ commanded the first battalion of
Italians in General Whittingham's division, and that * his tact and judgment
made him the glory and pride of his men.' The main cause on the other
hand, of the infamous behaviour — as recorded in the text — of the 2nd
battalion of Italians, was attributed to ' Grant's want of those qualities,'
which ^ induced him to adopt all the minute worry of the old British school,
and made him cordially detested by all the men of his regiment.' Unfortu-
nately the second regiment and not the first had garrisoned Xigona, on this
occasion.
176 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
French. To do away such an impression would have been
a work of time and difficulty.'
How admirably the details of the Majorca division
were carried on in active service is shown by eight docu-
ments in the Editor's possession. Of these Spanish
returns, six are dated Concentayna, 31st August, and the
other two dated 12th August, 1813. All appear to be
monthly returns, and are made out with a neatness and
precision that could not be exceeded by the orderly
room of the smartest British regiment at the present day.
Colonel Serrano, General Whittingham's able and
trusted chief of the staff, was dispatched to Freneda,
with a packet of letters, to undertake the by no means
easy task of persuading the victorious chief of the
British and Spanish armies to rescind the order which
he had given that the Majorca division was to submit
to Spanish deputy-inspectors ; and thus to transfer to
tliese officers from the hands of General Whittingham
not only the povv^er of rewarding and censuring officers
and men, but also of recommending them for promotion
in, or appointments to, regiments both of cavalry and
infantry.
The copy of the ' duplicate ' original of Lord Welling-
ton's reply is now before the Editor. It is written in a
fair clerk's hand ; and though an important letter (revers-
ing a previous decision), is merely signed by Lord Wel-
lington, though doubtless he either wrote out the original
draft, or at least dictated every word of it :* —
* Some readers will consider this explanation unnecessary. But the
writer has met with civilians of intelligence who have believed that all the
correspondence Lord Wellington signed was sent in his own handwriting;
a task which wouM have put to shame all the labours of Hercules !
LORD WELLINGTON GRANTS THE REFUSED INSPECTORSHIP. 177
Tke Marquis of Wellington to Major- General
Whittingham*
(Duplicate.)
^ Frenada, 1st March, 1813.
' Sir, — I have had the honour of receiving your several
letters to the 1st February, by the Chief of the Staff of
your division, who arrived here yesterday.
' In answer to your letter of the 26 th January, I have
to inform you that Captain Grey being employed on the
eastern coast of Spain, on the service of the regiment to
which he belongs, I cannot allow him to serve in the
Spanish army.
' I have settled with the inspectors-general of cavalry
and infantry, that you shall be appointed the inspector of
both arms in the division of troops under your command ;
and you will carry out that duty according to the orders
and regulations of the Spanish Government.
' I have settled with the inspectors of the cavalry to draft
the Hussars of Aragon and the regiment of Cuen^a into
the regiment of Almanza and Olivenza. This draft will
make those regiments over complete in men ; but you
will dispose of the horses as you may think proper among
the trained men of the regiment as already formed ; and
the others you will have trained either in Spain or Ma-
jorca, until I shall send orders for the disposal of them.
— I have the honour to be, Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
' Wellington.
' Major- General Whittingham.'
Lord Wellington, who, as their Commander-in-Chief,
naturally studied to please the Spaniards, gave the above
consent most reluctantly, and afterwards refused permis-
sion to act on it as a precedent in the case of others, to
Lord Wilham Bentinck, on his Lordship's application for
* Wellington Dispatches, vol. x. p. 153.
N
178 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
that purpose. Could Lord Wellington have given a
greater proof of the confidence and esteem which he en-
tertained for General Whittingham ?
The manner in which Lord Wellington yielded on this
occasion, was the more remarkable from the impatience
with which he received the suggestions and remonstrances
of another ISritish Agent, who was senior in rank to
General Whittingham. To the officer in question he
wrote a few days later as follows : —
'If you dislike your situation, or make any further
difficulties about obeying the orders you receive, or
fail to carry on the service, you must either resign your
command, or in the latter case, 1 shall recommend to
the Government that another officer may be appointed
to it.'*
Sir Samford Whittingham's ' Eecollections ' contain a
dramatic account of the surprise which the French at-
tempted at Xigona. But there were some (though trifling)
inaccuracies, chiefly of names of persons, which occasioned
the preference which has been here given to the matter-
of-fact letter, written at the period to his brother-in-law,
over the more picturesque account written for the amuse-
ment of the General's nieces. But the gallant action of
one of his own trained Spanish officers is now given from
the ' Eecollections,' in which alone it is recorded : —
' My head-quarters were at a place called Muchamiel,
about three miles from Alicante. At Xigona I had a
strong detachment : but the commander of the forces
directed me to occup)^ Tibi, a village on the farther side
of the mountain, and about ten miles in advance of Xigona.
I obeyed much against my will. For Tibi was an in-
sulated post, totally unconnected with my chain, and
exposed to be attacked by two battalions of French
* Vol. X., page 184, of the Wellington Dispatches.
HEROIC CONDUCT OP CAPTAIN RUTI. 179
infantry at Onteniente on the right, and by 300 cavalry
under the Baron de Lort on the left.*
' I selected for the command of this dangerous post,
Captain Euti, a young aide-de-camp of mine of great pro-
mise, to whom I was much attached ; and I placed under
his orders 200 infantry, and 50 hussars of his own regi-
ment of Almanza. I went over the whole ground with
Euti ; and pointed out to him the danger of his position,
and the line of retreat that I wished him to follow, and
the manner in which it should be conducted.
' Many nights had not elapsed when the infantry out-
posts were driven in by a very superior force. But the
retreat was conducted with great order and regularity to
the plaza of Tibi, where Euti waited to receive them at
the head of the troop of the Almanza Hussars. As had
been previously arranged, the infantry then retired to the
entrance of the pass in the mountains, which led to Xigona,
where they halted and formed to cover the retreat of the
cavalry through the defile.
' In the meantime Euti had detached a subaltern and
ten hussars on the road by which de Lort and his cavalry
must come, with orders, on falling in with the enemy, to
take ground to his left, to open a desultory fire to detain
the movement, and to dispatch a trusty soldier to him
(Euti) at Tibi. The order was perfect : not so, the exe-
cution ! The young subaltern in command of the party
fell in with the enemy as expected, remembered to take
ground to his left, but forgot everything else — for he sent
no report to Euti, and he never halted till he arrived at
Tibi, several miles distant. Euti, with the rest of his
cavalry, forty hussars, remained formed in the Plaza till
daylight ; when despairing of receiving any report from
his detachment, he determined upon commencing his re-
♦ Although on military grounds he considered the order unwise, yet he
obeyed it without any expostulation. He alwa5^s taught that the Jirdy
second^ and third duty of a soldier was obedience !
M 2
180 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
treat upon his infantry. Scarcely, however, had he cleared
the village when he saw, drawn up across the only road
he could take, four lines of the 24th French dragoons, to
intercept his retreat upon Xigona.
' Euti was a second Chevalier BayarcV^' He saw the
extent of his danger, but he felt how greatly his honour
would be compromised by suffering his post to be sur-
prised, when he had been especially selected by the
General, as peculiarly trustworthy. He did not hesitate,
but, briefly addressing his men, told them of his deter-
mination to charge, and asked them whether they would
dare to follow him. They all shouted Santiago, y a ellos !
[the Spanish war cry, " St. James, and have at them "]
and Euti, at the head of his forty hussars, charged and
broke through the first line of French dragoons with little
or no loss. The second line was broken through in a
similar manner, but with considerable loss ; and in the
charge against the third line, Euti fell covered with
wounds. His head was dreadfully cut up ; and a sabre
had passed through his body. Still the charge was con-
tinued ; and ultimately eleven out of the party joined me
at Xigona !
' The French were so enchanted at the daring bravery
displayed by Euti, that they carried him on a litter to
Onteniente, the head-quarters of their commandant ; pro-
cured for him the best medical aid ; and when miracu-
lously cured of his wounds they sent him to my head-
quarters. I returned the compliment by restoring to
liberty two of their [the French's] comrades, who were in
my power. For this action Euti was made a knight of
the military order of San Fernando,f and shortly after-
wards promoted to the rank of Brigadier of cavalry.'
* That is, 'sans petir et sans reproche,'' the very words applied to Sir
Samford Whittingham himself by an able reviewer.
t This order consisted of Knights; Knights-Commanders j and Knights-
Grand-Crosa.
AFFAIR OF CONCENTAYNA. l8l
The affair of Concentayna will next be given from the
' Eecollections ': —
' Not long after this splendid skirmish, a general advance
took place ; and my head-quarters were stationed at Al-
coy. Sir John Murray had now taken the command of
the army at Alicante ; and a general reconnoissance to
our front was determined on. I had with me at Alcoy
five battalions of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and some
mountain guns carried by mules ; and on the morning of
the reconnoissance I assembled the five battalions, the
squadron of cavalry (Cazadores de Olivencia) and two
guns, in contiguous close columns, near to Alcoy : and
gave verbally the necessary orders for the advance.
' My advanced guard consisted of the whole of Colonel
Campbell's regiment of light infantry 1,500 strong, a troop
of cavalry, and two guns ; and was supported by three
battalions of infantry, a troop of cavalry, and two moun-
tain guns.
' Before the day had well broken we fell in with the
French advanced posts, which occupied a wood in front
of Onteniente. They were immediately driven back, but
rallied on their reserves. As I wished to ascertain the
strength of the French force before me, I determined to ap-
pear to give way, and sounded the retreat. This brought
the French on, hand over hand — and as the whole of
Campbell's battalion was at the time in extended order
supported by the three battalion columns, the length of
the line was immense ; and the left being too much thrown
forward was in some danger of being cut off, on the rapid
and sudden advance of the French.
' To provide against this evil I directed the troop of
Chasseurs under Lieutenant Fernandez to charge the
centre of the French line, whilst my bugles sounded :
Change front on the centre the left thrown hack. This
movement was executed as beautifully and correctly as it
could have been done on parade, whilst the sabre of Fer-
182 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
nandez almost divided in two a soldier who ventured to
oppose him. Every little error being rectified we con-
tinued our retreat to where the attack had commenced.
' Having thus led the French to show what their force
really was, I determined to drive them from their present
position and beyond the pass of Albayda. Accordingly
we again advanced with the whole of the light infantry
in extended order, supported as before stated ; and we
drove the enemy at double quick [time], from tree to
tree, till he was clear of the wood, at the extremity of
which his line was formed.
' A momentary halt, which I unavoidably made, to give
orders as to the occupying a road on our right, which led
to the head-quarters of General Abert, enabled one of the
French sharpshooters to take good aim at my head and to
hit me on the right side of my mouth. My former wound
was on the left side. This last, however, was only a flesh
wound, and I had no time to attend to it. Our advance
through the wood was most brilliant and as soon as we
had cleared it, our guns were instantly in position ; and
the two first shots directed by Captain Arabin* plunged
into the centre of the French line, and created consider-
able confusion. I forthwith ordered a general advance
of all the troops under my command ; nor was there any
further check till we had conducted the French through
the pass of Albayda.
' [General] Abert's force and mine were nearly equal,
each consisting of about 4,000 bayonets.'
Here at last Spanish troops, unaided by British soldiers
(except their EngHsh chief, and the Scotch Colonel), had
under skilful guidance, proved more than a match for
veteran French warriors. The disgusts and the labours
* Captain Arabin died as Colonel Arabin, in command of the Royal
Artillery at Bermuda, on tbe 17th August, 1843. On the 8th April, 1847,
the eldest son of Sir Samford Whittingham, married Eliza, the eldest
daughter of Colonel Arabin.
GENERAL ORDERS OF SIR JOHN MURRAY. 183
experienced at Majorca were here at last repaid by unde-
niable fruits on the two occasions narrated ; and which
were to be officially acknowledged without delay : —
' General Order.
* Head Quarters, ALCor, Sth March, 1813.
' In the attack which took place yesterday, Lieutenant-
General Sir John Murray received particular satisfaction
from observing the brilliant conduct of the Spanish troops
engaged; and he begs General Whittingham will make
known his approbation in the strongest terms to the
officers, and desire them to communicate his sentiments
to the troops.
' Thomas Molloy,
^Assistant Adjutant-General.'
The above referred to the Xigona affair. That of Con-
centayna, or the Puente.de Albayda, deserved and received
warmer acknowledgment : —
' General Order.
^ Head Quarters, Alicante, Vlth Marchj 1813.
' No. 2. — Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray has again
to draw the attention of the army to the spirit and gal-
lantry with which the Spanish division of Major-General
Whittingham conducted itself on the 15th instant.
' The attack on that side was much more serious ; but
by the able dispositions of Major-General Whittingham,
and the bravery with which he was supported, the enemy
was driven from his positions, and pursued with great loss
as far as the Major-General thought expedient.
' Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray requests Major-
General Whittingham to acquaint the corps engaged,
how much their steadiness and general good conduct is
approved.
' G. A. Harzenbuhler,
* Assistant Adjutant-General.'
184 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
The Marquis of Wellington to Earl Batliurst*
(Extract.)
< Freneda, 7th April, 1813.
' Since the movement made by Lieu tenant-General Sir
John Murray, of which I enclosed the report in my last
dispatch, it appears that Marshal Suchet has collected his
troops on the right of the Jucar, and has established his
head-quarters at San Felipe de Xativa. General Whitting-
ham's division of Spanish troops had driven the enemy's
advanced guard beyond the Puente de Albayda.*f
As military agent General Whittingham wrote an offi-
cial account of the action of Concentayna to the Ambas-
sador : —
His Excellency the Eight Hon. Sir Henry Wellesley, K.B.
' Alcoy, 16^ March, 1813.
* Sir, — I have the honour to infonn your Excellency
that, in consequence of orders from Lieu tenant-General
Sir John Murray directing me to make a strong recon-
naissance on the enemy's force near Concentayna, I ad-
vanced from this at 3 o'clock yesterday morning, with the
greater part of the division of Majorca.
. ' T also directed Lieutenant-Colonel Bourke command-
ing the 1st Italian Eegiment, which was in La Sarga, to
occupy Alcoy with his battalion at daylight ; and having
situated the regiments of Murcia and Cordova with two
four-pounders, and a howitzer in a position previously
marked out, about half a, league beyond Alcoy on the
Concentayna road, in front of a ravine (on which we had
constructed some rough breastworks, and cut the bridge
across it so as only to allow one man at a time to pass);
* Wellington Dispatches, vol. x. p. 272.
t Except an allusion to General Donkin's successful reconnoissance this
little dispatch of the Duke's is all in honour of General Whittingham's two
successful affairs previously to the battle of Castalla.
GENERAL WHITTINGIIAM'S ACCOUNT OF THE ACTION. 185
I marclied out with the remainder in the following
order : * —
Advanced Guard.
3 companies of Cazadores de Mallorca •. Commandmg Officer,
Light company of Murcia I ^^.^^^ _^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^
Light company of Cordova Cazadores de Mallorca.
1 Subaltern and 10 Dragoons of Olivencia J
Column.
5 companies of Cazadores de Mallorca "i
2 English mountain four-pounders I Commanding Officer,
5th battalion of Grenadiers | Colonel Campbell.t
1 Cap. 1 Sub", and 25 Dragoons of Olivencia J
' On arriving near Concentayna, I posted the grenadier
battahon on a rising ground commanding the entrance to
the town ; the advanced guard entered it ; and Colonel
Campbell formed the rest of his regiment in close column
in the road leading into Concentayna.
' Lieutenant-Colonel Mouet passed through the town,
and proceeded on by the high road to Albayda ; and, a
few minutes before sunrise, fell in with an advanced post
of the enemy at the Cruz de Valencia, about half a mile
from Concentayna. This advanced [French party] fell
back on the next post, followed by Lieutenant-Colonel
Mouet's skirmishers ; and the enemy, having sent forward
reinforcements, there was a very warm fire kept up on
both sides, during which Mouet drove the enemy before
him for more than a mile ; when the French having con-
siderably reinforced their skirmishers, and having drawn
up, in position, a battalion of about 600 infantry and 150
dragoons, I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Mouet to retire
slowly towards Concentayna, in the hope of drawing the
enemy from his position.
' Colonel Campbell at the same time moved forward
with the five companies of his regiment in close column
and [with] one of the mountain four-pounders under the
* Official military letters are apt to scorn full stops, and to prolong sen-
tences into pages, that they may be both written and read with rapidity.
t Patrick Campbell, then Colonel in the Spanish service.
186 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
command of Captain Arabin of the British artillery. The
dragoons of Ohvencia, with some light infantry moved by
the right flank along the road to Muro, and occupied
Alcudieta ; where the commanding oflScer was informed
that, as soon as the firing began, the [French] troops
which were in Mm-o and the neighbourhood, had posted
themselves at the bottom of the hill near the Puerto de
Albayda * The column having come up near the rear
of the advance, Lieutenant-Colonel Mouet again drove
the enemy before him, followed by the column, which,
with the four-pounders, having arrived within five or six
hundred yards of the enemy, halted ; when Captain Arabin
opened a well-directed fire on the enemy's battalion, which,
after a few rounds, retired towards the Puerto de Albayda.
Having thus fulfilled Sir John Murray's instructions, I
directed Colonel Campbell and Lieutenant- Colonel Mouet
to fall back on their former position, which was done
without the least molestation on the part of the enemy.
The firing began about six in the morning, and lasted till
half-past ten in the forenoon.
'The enemy's loss, as I understand from different de-
serters who have since come in, is about sixty men, and
two horses killed and wounded. We have counted four-
teen dead bodies and two horses. On my part not a man
killed,f [but] one captain and fwe privates of the Caza-
dores de Mallorca, and two privates of the light company
of Murcia are wounded ; and I have received a musket-
shot in the right cheek.
' I have every reason to be highly satisfied with the
gallantry and coolness of the officers and soldiers of the
* Puente de Albayda it is called in the Wellington Dispatches ; that is,
bridge instead of gate. Gurwood took such trouble and pains in fixing the
proper spelling, and general correctness of the Spanish words, that probably
Puente is right.
t No doubt the rapidity of the attack and pursuit (leaving the enemy
little of the leisure and coolness necessary for good firing) was the cause
that the victors suflered so little. But of the few wounded the General
was one.
SIR H. WELLESLEY's REPLY. 187
division under my command ; who, on this as on every
other occasion, have most completely acted up to my
expectations, and fulfilled the duty [which] they owe [to]
their country.
' I have the honour to be, your Excellency's most
' obedient and humble servant,
' Samford Wiiittingham.'
To conclude the Concentayna ajQTair, the Ambassador's
reply is here inserted at once : —
Sir Henry Wellesley to Major-General Whittingham.
* Cadiz, 1st April, 1813.
' Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt
of your letters of the 16th and 19th ultimo, which reached
me this morning ; and it is with the most sincere satisfac-
tion that I now congratulate you upon the signal proofs
afforded by the conduct of your corps in the several affairs
in which it has been engaged, of the efficacy of your
exertions to bring it to perfection. I shall not fail to
transmit to Lord Wellington a copy of your letter to me,
and another copy for information of the Government of
His Eoyal Highness the Prince Eegent.
' I am very happy to learn that the wound which you
have received is not of a nature to deprive the country of
your services in the field for any considerable time.
' I will endeavour to obtain an order to the Marquis
of Compigny to the effect mentioned in your letter of the
19th March.* I will also use my utmost endeavours to
procure the confirmation of Colonel O'Reilly in the com-
mand of the 5th battalion of Grenadiers.
' I have, &c.,
' H. Wellesley.'
* The letter of the 19th is one of many letters too numerous for inser-
tion in this work. It complained that the Marquis, then Captain-General
of the Balearic Islands, kept back in Majorca troops of General Whitting-
ham's division that should have been sent to join the latter.
188 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' At page 297, vol. x., of the ' Wellington Dispatches,'
there is a long memorandum written by his Lordship,
(dated ' 14th April, 1813 '), regarding the coming opera-
tions on the eastern coast, which frequently refers to the
Majorca division : but of which only one sentence will
here be quoted, namely — the last paragraph : —
' If General Sir John Murray's allied British and Sicilian
corps, and the whole or part of General Whittingham's
division should embark, General the Duque del Parque
will direct the operations ordered in this memorandum to
be carried on in the kingdom of Valencia ; but, in either
case, the general officers commanding the first, second,
and third armies, and General Whittingham, must com-
mand each their separate corps.'
This was putting a General of division on the footing
of a General commanding an army, as subordinate only
to the actual Commander of the Forces — a strong mark
of confidence. This was written a fortnight before Lord
Wellington received Sir John Murray's report of the battle
of Castalla, which established yet higher the reputation of
the Majorca division.
To his Brother-in-law.
* Division, Majorca Head Quarters, Alcoy, l^th March, 1813.
' My dear Davis, — I enclose an account of an affair
which took place on the 15th. You will see with plea-
sure that the division has been twice thanked in General
Orders.
' As my wound is painful, though not in the least dan-
gerous, pray send a copy of the enclosed to Colonel
Torrens, and beg him to excuse my writing.
' The French have fifteen battalions in my front, at Al-
bayda and San Felipe. Our army is concentrating itself,
and a few days will, I hope, bring on a general action, at
which, I thank God, I shall still be able to play my part.
' Best love to all, and believe me, ever yours,
'Samford Whittingham.'
BATTLE OF CASTALLA. 189
Tlie battle of Castalla was fought and won on the 13th
April, 1813, by the allied English and Spanish troops ;
but mainly by two corps of that army ; namely, one of
Englishmen under Colonel Adam,* which gained the chief
honours of the day ; and the other of Spaniards under
Major-General Whittingham, who proved themselves
worthy of fighting with British soldiers, and contributed
largely to the successful result.
But let the Commander-in-Chief on that day have, as
is right, the first word : —
' General Order.
^ Head Quarters^ Castalla, lUh April, 1813.
' Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray congratulates the
army he has the honour to command, on the result of the
action which took place yesterday. Marshal Suchet col-
lected his whole force, for the express purpose of de-
stroying this army ; trusting to the good fortune which
had hitherto attended his arms. He has been defeated,
and forced to retreat, by a small portion of it.
' The Lieutenant-General requests the officers and sol-
diers of the corps engaged to accept his best thanks for
their gallantry ; and assures them, that he will not fail to
draw the attention of his Eoyal Highness the Prince
Eegent, and of the Spanish Government, to the bravery,
spirit, and discipline displayed.
' As the reports from the officers commanding divisions,
of what immediately passed under their direction, have
not yet reached the Lieutenant-General, he is obhged to
defer the just tribute of applause to those corps and in-
* Colonel Adam, of the 21st Foot, (afterwards Sir Frederick Adam,
K.C.B., G.C.M.G.,) was far senior in the British ar-my to Lieutenant-Colonel
Whittingham ; for on the same 4th of June, 1814, on which the latter was
made a Colonel, the former was gazetted a Major-General. It was not till
1825, that Whittingham became a Major-General in the British service.
Sir F. Adam was the second Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian
Islands.
190 MEMOIR OP SIR S. P. WHITTINGHAM.
dividuals who have been fortunate enough to find an
opportunity of distmguishing themselves. But, from
Sir John Murray's own observation, he is fully autho-
rized to hold up to every army in Europe the conduct
of Colonel Adam and his brave corps, on the 12th and
13th instant, as an example worthy of applause and
imitation; and he has the satisfaction of expressing a
no less degree of approbation of the conduct of Major-
General Whittingham and his gallant troops in the action
of the 13th*
' The Lieutenant-General has much satisfaction in con-
veying his approbation of the spirit displayed by every
other part of the army on the 12th and 13th instant. They
had not the fortunate lot of the advance, and of General
Whittingham ; but it was evident that had the enemy
waited the attack on the 13th, in the plains of Castalla,
that he would have found the same spirit to have existed
throughout the whole allied army.
' The Lieutenant-General has experienced, ever since
he has held this honourable command, every support and
assistance from the general officers and brigadiers f of the
army ; and he is happy that an opportunity has been
afforded him of expressing that gratitude which he deeply
feels. Nor is he less indebted to the general staff of the
army, for their cordial support, and the cheerful alacrity
with which every part of the service is performed. In
mentioning the general staff of the army Sir John Murray
feels that he would be wanting in justice if he omitted
the name of Major-General Donkin, to whom he is more
particularly indebted. Tlie Lieutenant-General has now
only pointedly to express his approbation of the artillery
corps engaged in every part, and to assure Captain Arabin
* Thus three times in five weeks was the Majorca division praised in
General Orders.
t Colonel Adam appears to have been one of these Brigadiers, as he is
described as commanding a body of troops. He was Lieut.-Colonel of the
21st llegiment of Foot, the North British Fusiliers.
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM'S REPORT TO SIR JOHN MURRAY. 191
that, SO far from finding the shghtest grounds of censure
for the loss of the two mountain guns, he highly approved
the spirit and motive which induced him to keep them in
their position, till it became impossible, in their crippled
state to remove them.
' Deeply as every soldier feels the loss of a brave com-
rade who may fall, it is a consolation to think that the
allied army has, in comparison with that of the enemy,
suffered, in numbers at least, a trifling loss.
'Thomas Kenagh,
* Assistant Adjutant-General.'
General Whittingham's official report was as follows : —
To His Excellency the General-in-Chief of the Allied
Army.
^ Camp of Guekka, lUh Ap7'il, 1813.
'Sir, — Yesterday the 13th, in consequence of your
Excellency's orders communicated to me by Lieutenant-
Colonel CatineUi, I marched at mid-day by my left, from
my position on the heights of Guerra, with the 5th bat-
talion of Grenadiers, the 2nd of Murcia, and that of the
Cazadores of Majorca, by the road of the Montana, which
joins that of Sax; prolonging the left of the line, and
leaving in my position the 1st battalion of Cordova and
the 2nd of Burgos, under Colonel'Juan Eomero.
' After marching about -half an hour I received a mes-
sage from Major Guerra (whom I had left with two com-
panies covering the heights of Nadal) informing me that
three columns of the enemy were forming at the foot of
his position, and were preparing to attack him. I imme-
diately ordered Colonel Serrano, chief of my staff, to march
rapidly and place the 2nd Eegiment of Murcia [so as] to
support Major Guerra ; giving positive orders to Colonel
Casans that the post should be defended at whatever cost,
and that he should proceed to the heights of Guerra, and
192 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
acquaint me with the state of that point. The lire was
already general along the line ; and observing that the
enemy was possessing himself of the last height on the
left — from whence he might flank those on the Nadal, I
ordered Colonel Campbell, of the Majorca Cazadores, to
obtain possession of that height with two companies ;
which he accomplished most promptly at the point of the
bayonet. Leaving the remainder of this corps on this
part of the line, I hastened with the 5th Eegiment of
Grenadiers back to the position on the heights of Guerra,
which was now vigorously attacked. On my march I
received a verbal communication from Colonel Serrano,
informing me that it was absolutely necessary to strengthen
that point with more troops, as Colonel Eomero, with the
Cordova and Burgos Eegiments, was sorely pressed, and
required support. The moment I arrived, I formed the
grenadiers into two columns on the Hat on the top of the
heights of Guerra, fronting the two most accessible points,
and against w^hich the attacks were principally directed.
A strong column of French grenadiers had taken the
height of Sarratella, with another still stronger [column]
of fusiliers on their right. I ordered the reserves to ad-
vance, Eomero maintained himself on the first line with
great firmness. After a very obstinate fight on both sides,
the enemy determined to attack with the bayonet ; his
first column [advancing] by the crest of the mountain ;
the second, lower, down, by the opening of Palhser.
' I immediately directed Lieutenant-Colonel Ochoa to
advance with our reserve, and sustain the first point ; and
Colonel Serrano took the other (commanded by Major
Ontiveros) by his left to cover the opening of Palhser.
The enemy advanced boldly to the edge of the position ;
but the reserves immediately deployed, and advanced to
the charge with so much spirit (supported by the troops
of the first line) that the enemy was overthrown and put
into the greatest confusion ; nor could he again form until
BATTLE OF CASTALLA. 193
he had returned to his position on the summit of the hill
of Doncel.
' Colonel Casans of the 2nd Eegiment of Murcia, to
whom, as already mentioned, I had trusted the command
of the left, was attacked by upwards of 800 men in strong
skirmishing parties, supported by a column of grenadiers
and chasseurs, and a numerous reserve. But this officer
ordered his grenadiers and cazadores to advance and sup-
port the Majorca Eegiment, which was warmly attacked ;
and with that of Murcia, in the post of 011a Eedonda, the
cazadores of the 5th Grenadiers, and the 1st of Guada-
laxara kept up a steady fire ; which the enemy notwith-
standing disregarded, [being] resolved to break the line.
But Colonel Casans having brought out his reserves, and
given the command of his right to Major Bascon, of his
left to Lieutenant-Colonel M. Sas, and of his centre to
Major Guerra, they kept up the fire till half-past four in
the afternoon ; when, annoyed by the obstinacy of the
enemy, Colonel Casans ordered the before mentioned
troops, with four companies of the cazadores of Majorca,
to charge with the bayonet ; which they did immediately
with such a countenance that the French dared not await
them, but fled shamefully, and with too much expedition
to allow our men, who were much fatigued, to make many
prisoners.
' I can assure. your Excellency that the force with which
the enemy attacked [us] was greatly superior to mine ;
and that, after a most obstinate conflict of three hours and
a half, he was repulsed at the same time on the whole
line, leaving the field covered with his dead.
' I subsequently received your Excellency's orders to
move my line forward, in proportion as the other troops
of the army should advance. As soon as I perceived
the general movement, I left Colonel Casteras with the
battalion of Burgos in the position, and advanced with the
o
194 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
5th Grenadiers and the 1st of Cordova, covering my front
with two companies of Majorca as skirmishers.
' I marclied in this order to the summit of Doncel, fol-
lowing the first line 'of the English troops, on which my
right leaned.* At the same time I sent by my left, by the
Montana del Aquila, Colonel Casans with the regiments of
Murcia and Majorca, strengthened by his Britannic Ma-
jesty's 1st Itahan battalion, with the view of flanking the
enemy's right ; which they accomplished by descending
into the plain, and taking the direction of Monte de los
Zerres. The skirmishers were charged at the foot of that
hill by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry, which they
succeeded in repulsing with loss, when the whole column
halted, on the approach of night, and returned to its
position, by your Excellency's orders.
' To your Excellency I particularly recommend, in the
strongest terms, Colonel Serrano, Chief of my Staff, to
whose exertions, valour, and knowledge, is owing much
of the success of this day. I also particularly recommend
Lieutenant-Colonel Catanelli, who was in the whole of the
action and gave much assistance. The second adjutant of
the General Staff, and the assistants, Don Joseph Serrano
and Don Samuel Alvares, Colonel Gelabert, quartermaster-
general. Captain Montenegro, of the engineers, and my
aide-de-camp, Don Antonio Euti, and the Baron de Hal-
berg, completely fulfilled their duties and carried my orders
with the greatest dispatch and precision.
* The spirit and correctness of the officers of my division
have been so distinguished, that I must in justice call your
Excellency's attention to the conduct of Colonels Casans,
Eomero, Campbell, Casteras,and Lieutenant-Colonel Ochoa,
and all the other commanders and officers. In one word,
both men and officers have completely done their duty ;
and having been all equally engaged, they are equally
* It is meant that he dressed his line by that of the EngKsh in its
advance.
AT CASTALLA THE SPANIARDS RIVAL THE BRITISH. 195
entitled to the gratitude of their country ; particularly the
memory of those brave men, Lieutenant-Colonel Sudrez
of the 5th Grenadiers, Lieutenant-Colonel Pizarro of [the
regiment of] Burgos, and Lieutenant-Colonel Puerto of the
Majorca, who fell in the action. Major Bascon received a
contusion. Lieutenant Morales of the Cordova, Lieute-
nant Castaneda of the Guadalaxara, and the sub-lieutenant
of the Majorca, Serrano, were wounded ; with 66 rank and
file killed, and 163 wounded ; which with the 29 men
that the battalion [there engaged] lost on the 12th on the
pass of Biar, make a total of 258 men.
' I have, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
It is proved by two dispatches of Lord Wellington,
dated 5th May and 9th August, 1813, that the Spanish
division of General Eoche was at Castalla very weak in
the field, nearly all the men being at the depot. More-
over, that division being on the right, was not actively
engaged. The state and conduct of the Majorca division
appear to have been achievements with Spanish troops
quite unrivalled in the Peninsula.
The following extracts from Sir John Murray's dispatch
of the battle of Castalla to the Marquis of Wellington,
refer to General Whittingham and his division ; —
' The position of the allied army was extensive. The
left wag posted on a strong range of hills, occupied by
Major-General Whittingham's division of Spanish troops,
and the advance of the allied army under Colonel Adam.
' The skill, judgment, and gallantry displayed by Major-
General Whittingham and his division of the Spanish
army, rivals, though it cannot surpass, the conduct of
Colonel Adam and the advance.'
That the British General-in-Chief, should thus acknow- .
ledge that Spaniards had rivalled Britons in the battle
o 2
196 MEMOIR OP SIR S. P. WHITTINGIIAM.
was assuredly a sufficient proof that the labours of the
zealous organizer in Majorca had not been thrown away.
General Murray also forwarded and endorsed the recom-
mendations made by General Whittingham of his gallant
subordinates.*
On the 9th May, 1813, the great hero deigned to in-
dite a paper of ' Observations on General Whittingham's
memorandum of the 24th April, 1812, in regard to the
draft of supphes from the country ' f ; and though he
declared it to be ' impracticable to execute what is pro-
posed,' he yet discussed it with respect and condemned
the project solely on the ground of the inferiority to the
French on certain points both of English and Spanish
troops. Such measures experience indeed proved, owing
to Lord Wellington's marvellous successes, to be unneces-
sary. But it might have been otherwise, but for the in-
vasion of Eussia ; and if Napoleon, abandoning that mad
project, had reinforced his Peninsular army by 100,000
more soldiers. In that case forced requisitions, or an
abandonment of Spain would have been the only alter-
natives to keep the army from starving. The retreat
after Talavera was mainly caused by the absence of such
requisitions, and by the indolence and ill-will of the
Spanish authorities, who scrupled not themselves to take
what was wanted for their own troops, though they took
no trouble to supply the British.
After the praise given to the Majorca division by Sir
John Murray on so many occasions, it will surprise no one
that the Spaniards were rendered almost wild with enthu-
siasm by the accounts of the prowess of their countrymen
against the detested invaders. In the ' Eedactor General'
(a Spanish journal) of April 1813, there is a long and
• Though thrice honourably mentioned in General Orders, and again in
the dispatch, no one would suppose from Napier's accounts of the Eastern
Campaign, that either Whittingham or his Spanish division had done
anything particular. The Duke knew better.
t Vol. X. p. 366.
ANECDOTE FROM THE ' RECOLLECTIONS.' 197
glowing article on the Te Deums and rejoicings on ac-
count of the victory of Castalla, in the usual inflated style
of warm southern imaginations. The translation of one
of its paragraphs is sufficient on the present occasion : —
' General Whittingham, that chief so zealous in inspi-
ring all warlike virtues into his beloved soldiers, must be
superabundantly satisfied and recompensed in seeing his
labours in the organizing of these never-sufficiently-to-
be-praised Spaniards thus crowned with success.'
The following incident of the battle of Castalla is taken
from the ' Kecollections ' : —
' I was directed to march upon Castalla with the whole
of the force under my command, except two battalions
which were to remain at Alcoy. On my arrival at Cas-
talla, I occupied a range of heights on the left of the
town. The British left and my right were contiguous.
Suchet had advanced from Valencia with about 12,000
men ; and had attacked some posts of General Elio, and
taken a thousand prisoners. Our advanced guard under
Brigadier Adam was driven through the pass of Biar upon
our main body at Castalla. But the retreat was a beau-
tiful field-day, by alternate battalions. The volleys were
admirable, and the successive passage of several ravines
conducted with perfect order and steadiness. From the
heights occupied by my troops it was one of the most
delightful panoramas that I ever beheld !
•• About ten o'clock on the next morning, I received
orders from Sir John Murray, through Lieutenant-Colonel
Catanelh (an Italian officer on the staff of Lord William
Bentinck) to take ground to my left till 1 should reach
the head of a ravine in that direction, then to bring my
left shoulder forwards, descending the valley, and form
perpendicularly to the right of Suchet's line.
' In the meantime Sir John was to advance with his
whole force from Castalla, and attack Suchet in front. I
told Catanelli that 1 should of course obey but that I did
198 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTtNGIIAM.
not believe in the correctness of his communication ; arid
Sir John Murray afterwards assured me that he had never
given any order to Catanelli. Luckily, foreseeing that
the heights which I occupied would probably be attacked
as soon as my movement to the left should be perceived,
I left all the advanced posts and their supports standing ;
and passing by their rear in columns of companies left in
front, I had hardly begun to descend the valley in single
file, when a report was brought to me that the French
were advancing to the attack of the heights of Castalla,
and that the outposts were already warmly engaged. I
instantly countermarched, and formed columns of com-
panies at double quick, as the troops successively cleared
the defile ; and I re-occupied my former position just in
time to repel the final attack of the French.* Our loss
did not exceed 300 men ; the French suffered severely,
not having fewer than 3,000 men hors de combat. .
' Our advantage was not followed up, and Suchet was
permitted to retire without further molestation, through
the pass of Biar, by which he had advanced.'
* This account of the mistake of Catanelli is confirmed by Soutliey.
Indeed he probably received the particulars from General Whittingham, or
found them at the Horse-Guards, in the letters of that officer.
INCREASE OF FRENCH FORCE. 199
CHAPTEE X.
181 3 — contitiued.
INCREASE OP FRENCH AND DECREASE OF ENGLISH FORCE — REPUTATION
OF THE MAJORCA DIVISION — DEATH OF HONOURABLE COLONEL CADO-
GAN — LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK SUPERSEDES SIR JOHN MURRAY —
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM COVERS THE RETREAT FROM TARRAGONA — •
EFFECTED WITHOUT LOSS — WHITTINGHAM EXCEPTIONALLY FAVOURED
BY LORD WELLINGTON — AN ORDER MORE FLATTERING THAN AGREE-
ABLE— CAVALRY UNSHOD FOR WANT OF MONEY — A GERMAN AIDE-DE-
CAMP—OFFICIAL JEALOUSIES AND PERSECUTIONS — GENERAL WHIT-
TINGHAM'S RESIGNATION OF COMMAND — HIS REASONS FOR RESIGNING
— ACCOUNT OF PASSING THE EBRD — A DRUNKEN COMMANDER — THE
FRENCH MURDER COLONEL o'REILLY— RETALIATION BY THE SPANIARDS
— GREAT EVILS REQUIRE STRONG REMEDIES — MAGAZINES FILLED IN A
WEEK — LORD WELLINGTON FEELS THE UTMOST CONCERN AT GE-
NERAL WHITTINGHAM'S RESIGNATION — WITHHOLDS HIS PAPERS TILL
HE SHALL HEAR AGAIN — GIVES HIM A LARGE COMMAND OF CAVALRY
— THE GLORY AND DUTY OF OBEYING WELLINGTON — STATE OF SPANISH
CAVALRY — HAZARDOUS ALTERNATIVE— A FRATERNAL EPANCHEMENT
DE CCEUR — TRAINING OP SPANISH CAVALRY — COLONEL TORRENS'S
LETTER TO MR. DAVIS — ROUTINE CARRIED TOO PAR — LORD WELLING-
TON RESIGNS THE COMMAND OF THE SPANISH ARMY — IMPROVEMENT
OF SPANISH CAVALRY — A DISAPPOINTING PEACE.
General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
* Alcoy, ISth May, 1813.
' Suchet's force has been reinforced since the action [of
Castalla] by the junction of the division that he had in
Aragon (about 5,000 men), and by the arrival of about
2,000 conscripts. Ours had been lessened by 3,000 men
lost by General Elio at Gerla -and Biar, and by the de-
tachment of three regiments sent to Sicily. We received
yesterday the news that General Hill had entered Toledo,
and that the Duke del Parque was at Almaraz.
' The Spaniards are not in a state to act alone even a
subordinate part ; and one of two things must result from
200 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
sending Sir John Murray's army away. Either the army
acts alone, entirely composed of Spanish troops, and under
the command of the Duke del Parque, in which case it
will be entirely destroyed in the first action in which it
may be engaged ; or Lord Wellington will be obliged to
detach General Hill with his corps darmee to take the
supreme command here ; and by so doing weaken con-
siderably the effect of his great mass [of troops] ; had he
been able to keep them concentrated in one sole line of
operation.
'As to this unfortunate country I see it in a more
deplorable point of view every day. Nine months have
nearly passed away since the battle of Salamanca, two-
thirds of Spain have been free during that period ; and
yet the only increase to our army is about 12,000 men
under O'Donnel, and the troops are neither better paid
nor better fed than when Spain was reduced to Cadiz.
' My little division has established a certain reputation*
in the country, which is highly advantageous to the esprit
de corps that I have always endeavoured to keep up. But
as I have no means of recruiting my losses, a few months
of active campaign will lead us fairly and softly to a natural
death. I live in hopes, however, that in consequence of
the battle of Castalla, I may receive some augmentations
to my force.'
The death of his dear friend the Honourable Henry
Cadogan at Vittoria on the 21st June, 1813, must have
been a grievous blow to the subject of this Memoir and
deserves a passing allusion. Cadogan had been gazetted
on the 4th June to the rank of Colonel, but he died before
his promotion was known in the Peninsula. f Lord Wel-
* More than he was then aware of, since its commander had gained (as
will be seen hereafter) the high esteem of the able Marshal Sucket, Duke of
Albiifera.
t Had Colonel Cadogan survived, he would have succeeded to the earldom
of Cadogan in 1832, instead of his younger brother George.
LORD W. BENTINCK SUPERSEDES SIR JOHN MURRAY. 201
lington on the 22nd of June, in his dispatch to Earl
Bathurst, writes, ' I am concerned to have to report that
Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. H. Cadogan has died of a
wound which he received. In him His Majesty has lost
an officer of great merit and tried gallantry, who had al-
ready acquired the respect and regard of the whole pro-
fession, and of whom it might have been expected that,
if he had lived, he would have rendered the most impor-
tant services to his country.'
On the 24th, Lord Wellington writes to his brother
Sir Henry Wellesley, ' I know how much you will feel
for the loss of poor Cadogan, which has distressed me
exceedingly. He was so anxious respecting what was
going on, that after he was wounded and knew that he
was dying, he had himself carried to a place whence he
could see all the operations.'
Thus heroically died the beloved and loving friend of
Samford Whittingham.
On the 28th of May, Sir John Murray's army embarked
for Catalonia, and sailed on the 31st ; disembarked on
the 3rd June, and immediately invested Tarragona. The
abandonment of that enterprise, owing to the advance,
with a large force, of Marshal Suchet to the relief of the
town, was eifected in such haste as to cause a considerable
loss of guns and miHtary stores, and also eventually to
bring before a court-martial the British Commander of
the Forces. On tlie 17th June, Lord William Bentinck
relieved Sir John Murray of his command, and then was
renewed the acquaintance between that distinguished noble-
man and General Whittingham, which quickly ripened into
mutual esteem, and ended in durable friendship. We re-
sume the ' Eecollections ': —
'At the siege of Tarragona, my division of infantry
occupied the left of the investment. Suchet had advanced
to the relief with 10,000 men, but without artillery. I
submitted to the consideration of Sir John Murray that
202 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
[General] Copons, and the Spanish corps under his com-
mand, should be left before Tarragona, and that he [him-
self] should move upon Suchet with all his force. My
opinion was not approved ; and a few days afterwards the
siege was ordered to be raised, and with such precipita-
tion that several guns were abandoned, and our honour
unnecessarily compromized. Before our re-embarkation
for Alicante Lord William Bentinck had arrived, and
taken the command of the army. His Lordship forth-
with advanced a second time upon Tarragona, but by
land. Suchet, determined to save the place if possible,
brought up all the disposable force under his command,
to the amount of 30,000 men.
'Lord William's army consisted of the divisions of
Sarsfield and Whittingham, about 6,000 men each, and
of the force under the Duke del Parque of 12,000 men.
The three Grenerals were directed to meet at Lord William's
head-quarters, and a council of war was held on the ex-
pediency of risking a general action with Suchet. It was
determined in the negative ; and a general retreat being
ordered, I was left to cover it with my division.
' The country which we then occupied was intersected
by stone walls enclosing fields of a moderate size, and
every road formed a small defile. Between my advanced
post and the enemy there was a deep but very accessible
ravine, at the head of which stood a village occupied by
my troops. In rear of the village there was a large open
space ; and beyond that a long wall of about four feet high,
pierced through its centre by the common road. Besides
the infantry, I had with me two eight-pounders, horse
artillery, and nearly 2,000 cavalry. Having ascertained
the proximate approach of the enemy, I sent the artillery
and cavalry to the rear, excepting only fifty hussars, which,
with two companies of grenadiers, I pushed across the
ravine, as a check upon the too rapid advance of the
French. I then lined the wall on the farther side of the
RETREAT EFFECTED WITHOUT LOSS. 203
common with Campbell's light infantry, and sent a staff-
officer with all the battalions of the line, to form them on
either side of the road at convenient distances successively,
in order the better to secure our retreat.
' I had scarcely made all these arrangements, when the
troops on the farther side of the ravine were driven in at
double quick ; and they had just commenced filing to the
rear through the opening in the wall, when the French
hussars came through the village at a gallop — formed to
the front — and charged the troops entering the defile.
' It was now my turn. The whole battalion of light
infantry, which had been concealed behind the wall, stood
up ; and commenced, from that rest,* a most destructive
fire, which brought down a great number, and sent the
remainder to the right-about as speedily as their horses'
legs could carry them. A General of division should
always be the first to advance and the last to retreat. That
is invariably his post. I consequently retired with Camp-
bell's battalion, and gradually and successively sent on
the different battalions, as they came up in their echelons
to more distant points in our rear.
' The pursuit was warmly followed up till nightfall ;
when having crossed a ravine at ,f we ascended the
height on the opposite side, and took up our position for
the night. In the village we found five thousand rations
of bread, which had been prepared for the French. I
ordered them to be distributed to our men, in spite of the
reclamations of the civil authorities. I then proceeded
to open communications through the walls in my rear for
the passage of the troops, on their retreat in the morning ;
and having detached on our right a subaltern and twenty
hussars, to ascertain the security of that flank, I threw
myself down on a bundle of straw, and in a moment was
* Rest for their muskets on the wall ; ensuring steadiness of aim.
t The name was left in blank, having slipped from the memory of the
writer.
204 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
fast asleep ; for I do not recollect ever, in my whole life,
to have been half so tired. At one o'clock a.m., my ser-
vant awoke me to say that a dish of stewed partridge was
ready ; and I certainly did eat, as most starved people are
wont to do — like a hunter.*
' I waited the next morning till near daylight, in the
hope that my hussar- patrol would make its appearance.
But I was disappointed ; for it turned out that the young
officer had disobeyed my orders not to dismount, much
less to enter any house, and had in consequence been
surprised and taken prisoner with the whole of his party.
Our further retreat to Lord William's head-quarters was
effected without loss. The distance was ten miles, and
we marched it in two hours and a half.'
Lord Welhngton did not approve of the Spanish sys-
tem of divisional inspectors, but as Commander-in-Chief
of the Spanish armies he did not venture to abolish them
generally : —
The Marquis of Wellington to Lieutenant- General Lord
William Benti7ick.f
(Extract.)
^ Irtjrita, 8th July, 1813.
' You will have seen that by the Constitution, all mili-
tary regulation is in the hands of the Cortes, and they
have a board of officers now sitting to consider of a mili-
tary constitution for the army, which it is intended to
republicanize. Any proposal for an alteration, therefore,
is laid aside till the new military constitution shall be
fixed. One of the defects in the constitution of the Spanish
army, as now existing, is in the office and power of the
* The critical reader must remember that these Recollections (as ex-
plained in the Preface) were written for a beloved niece, and were never
intended for publication.
t Vol. X. page 516, edition of 1838, of Wellmjton Disjuitches.
UNIVERSAL CONFIDENCE IN GENERAL WIIITTINGHAM. 205
inspectors of cavalry and infantry, in whose hands is
the nomination of all officers to commission, and for
promotion.
' This cannot he altered. Whittingham, contrary to all
rule, is both Commander and Inspector of his own division.
I have not the power to make the same arrangement in
favour of anybody else.*
'I have no objection to your allowing the Diique del
Parque cavalry to act under the command of Whitting-
ham for the moment ; but I beg you not to make any
alteration in the existing organization of any of the
Spanish armies. If you do, you will bring me into diffi-
culties.'
With Lord William Bentinck, as with every com-
mander he successively served under, confidence in Ge-
neral Whittingham seems to have been the invariable
rule : but indeed it appears to have been equally so in
the case of civilians, whether statesmen or diplomatists,
with whom he came in contact ; always excepting that
brief episode with the Governor of Gibraltar, where he
had not the opportunity by personal intercourse of gain-
ing the esteem of that over-punctilious functionary.
The formation of the rival division of General Eoche
appears to have been, comparatively speaking, a failure ;
as on the 9th August, 1813, we find Lord Welhngton
writing to Lord William Bentinck : ' I shall not allow
any pay in future for a division under General Eoche, as
he has no such division serving in the field.' This clearly
proves (and it is therefore quoted) the immense difficulty
of the task which General Whittingham succeeded in
accomplishing at Majorca.
* The Editor ventures to place in italics a sentence so honourable to the
subject of this Memoir. Not only the confidence of the illustrious Chief is
here displayed, but the great popularity of General Whittingham in Spain
is strikingly manifested.
206 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
To his Brother-in-law.
' ToRRENTE, nth July, 1813.
' At the request of Lord William Bentinck, of the Duke
del Parque, and of General Elio, I have taken the com-
mand of the cavalry of the 2nd and 3rd army, which,
added to that of my division, makes about 2,500 horse.
I have accepted this command because I have been
ordered to do so ; but I have declared to them all that I
cannot be answerable for the consequences. If I had
them for some months, they might be formed into good
soldiers. But at present there is no time for instruction ;
and in the present condition of the Spanish cavalry, there
is not a single regiment in a state to fight the French,
with the most distant chance of success.
' In the year which has elapsed since the battle of
Salamanca, the Spanish army has not been increased
by 20,000 men ; nor do I see the least hope of a change
of system. Lord Wellington has been doing wonders ;
but England, as I have repeated again and again, can
never save Spain if Spain will do nothing for herself.
' In short, my dear Davis, I am tired of a scene where
my mind is continually harassed, and where it is not
in my power to do the least good ; and I entreat you
to obtain an order for me to return home, and get my
accounts with Government passed. They are long and
voluminous, and, if not settled during my life, they will
probably be the cause of infinite vexation and loss to my
family.
' No man has considered the Spanish Eevolution with
greater impartiality than myself. When we were re-
duced to Cadiz and the Balearic Islands, my spirits were
high, and I trusted that a day of reaction would arrive
which would place the Spaniards in the situation of the
French in the year '94. That day has arrived. Lord.
Welhngton's memorable battle of Salamanca put the
CAVALRY UNSHOD FOR WANT OF MONEY. 207
Spaniards in possession of the best part of their country,
and gave them the means of forming great and powerful
armies !
' Have they taken advantage of these circumstances ?
Have they done anything for their own salvation ? Their
whole time has been occupied in the forming of a cursed
Constitution, and their army has been forgotten and neg-
lected! We have not, I again repeat, increased our
army 20,000 men in the last year, nor is there in my
opinion any hopes of amendment.
' About four months ago General Freyre, with 3,500
cavalry, was sent to Seville by order of Lord Wellington,
to clothe, arm, equip, and instruct the corps. I saw a
letter from General Freyre, about a fortnight since, in
which he states that he had received nothing ; and that
he was not able to exercise his cavalry /<9r want of money
to pay for the horses' shoes !
' You must be satisfied that a year's reflection is suf-
ficient. That time has elapsed since I first wrote to you
on the subject. Get me recalled, and allow me to pass
some years at least of happiness with you and yours.'
In a letter marked private^ and dated Torrente, 17th
July, 1813, he gives to his brother-in-law a detail of the
advice he had given to Sir John Murray at the camp of
Tarragona, which, as it is embodied in Southey's history,
need not be here detailed.
To Colonel Torrens^ Military Secretary.
♦ Torrente, Vlth July, 1813.
' My dear Friend, — I beg leave to recommend to
your attentions and civilities, my aide-de-camp, Baron
Halberg, who passes through London on his w^ay to
Germany. He is a gentleman I much esteem as an
ofiicer, and a friend ; and as he has been with me for
208 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
two years, he can give you a good account of the state of
the troops which I have the honour to command.
' I remain, my dear Friend,
' Yours most truly,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Although General Whittingham was exceedingly po-
pular with the Spaniards with whom he came in contact,
or rather, perhaps, on that very account, high-placed
Spanish officials were often very jealous of the English-
man, who by his zeal and energy appeared to put to
shame their own lack of such qualities. These officials
gratified their malice by all kinds of shghts and insults,
and amongst the worst of them were the Ministers of
War and Finance. At last matters wxre carried to such
a length, that patience was exhausted. On the 5th August,
1813, General Whittingham sent in his resignation to
the Eegency ; and on the day following he sent it also to
Lord Wellington, who was not only the Commander-in-
Chief of the Spanish army, but to whom the Ambas-
sador, Sir Heniy Wellesley, had yielded the chief control
over the British military agents.
Thus, in the course of a year, the two brothers had
successively received letters of resignation from the same
subordinate. Sir Henry Wellesley had condescended to
request the withdrawal of the resignation in 1812. The
Majorca division and its commander had since greatly
distmguished themselves ; but Lord Wellington was dif-
ferent from, and sterner than, his brother. Would he
condescend in a similar manner ? General Whittingham,
at all events, expected no such result : —
Major-General Whittingham to the Marquis of
Wellington.
^ Camp before Tarragona, 6th August, 1813.
My Lord, — I have the honour to enclose translations
of various official letters which have passed relative to the
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's RESIGNATION. 209
subsistence of the troops under my command. I have en-
deavoured to the best of my power to act up to your Lord-
ship's instructions considering that if a smaller §um than
had at first appeared necessary, should be found sufficient,
the difference ought necessarily to result in diminishing
the sum appropriated by the British Government ; inas-
much as your Lordship's order is positive that no part of
the money destined for the division of Majorca should be
employed in the purchase of provisions. The Duke del
Pai*que, and General Elio, both perfectly agreed with me
in the interpretation of your Lordship's instructions ; but
the official communication which I have just received
upon this subject from the Minister of Finance is couched
in such terms that I cannot in justice to my own feehngs
avoid sending in my resignation, which I have directed to
General WimpfFen, to be forwarded, with your Lordship's
permission, to the Spanish Government.
' I cannot take my leave of this country without avail-
ing myself of the opportunity of returning my most grate-
ful thanks to your Lordship for the many favours which
I have received at your hands. The obligations, indeed,
which I am under to your Lordship, to Marquis Wellesley,
and to Sir Henry, will never be effaced from my memoiy ;
and nothing will afford me through life so much satisfaction,
as to have an opportunity in my hmited sphere, of proving
the sentiments of respect and gratitude which animate my
mind towards everything bearing the name of Wellesley.
' If your Lordship will be pleased to grant me permis-
sion, I wish to return immediately to England, and I
should take it as a particular favour if Captain Foley
might be permitted to accompany me ; as I am extremely
desirous of getting my account with the British Govern-
ment settled as soon as possible.
' I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
' Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,
' Samford Whittingiiam.'
210 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTIKGIIAM.
On the 22nd August, he gives to his brother-in-law the
reasons in detail which had induced him to resign. The
Minister^ had begun to stop indirectly his acknowledged
right to promote the officers of his division ; in one case
going so far as to separate the regiment of Burgos, which
he had formed, from his command. They took in fact
every opportunity of slighting him, and letting it be
understood that his favour was no recommendation in
their eyes. Carrying insult to the extreme limits of false-
hood, the Intendant of the 2nd army — eager, no doubt,
to please the Ministers — told some of General Whitting-
ham's officers, ' that the division of Majorca was more
prejudicial than useful to the nation, and the Minister of
Finance ventures to tell me that I am ignorant of the
duties of a Spanish General.' The letter continues as
follows : —
' The measure, my dear Davis, is at last full, I have
borne with patience insults and persecutions, because I
conceived that my efforts would do good, in our great and
glorious cause. In the present case, the opposite impres-
sion is strong upon my mind. I am satisfied that, not
having it in my power to forward the interests of the war
— inasmuch as I am become the innocent cause of ruining
the career of all who serve under my orders — it is my
duty not to hold a command which could only serve to
flatter my vanity at the expense of interests that 1 have
always held dearer than my own. I have, as Buonaparte
says of his politics, a morality of my own ; and I can
never for a moment consent that for my personal advan-
tage, the interests of those whom I am bound to protect
and cherish should suffer the least detriment.
' On, the point of quitting the mihtary career, I have
had the satisfaction of executing two operations well.
' When Lord William retired from before Tarragona,
on the approach of Soult, my corps which was the most
advanced, was attacked by a French column of 5,000 in-
ACCOUNT OP PASSING THE EBRO. 211
fantry, and 300 cavalry. I had with me 1,300 infantry,
and 40 dragoons. This Httle force retired with admirable
order upwards of ten miles — checked and repulsed the
enemy whenever he pressed upon us, and about seven in
the evening effected a junction with the remainder of the
division, which by ray orders occupied a commanding
position in Biar. At one in the morning we again began
our retreat, and joined the main body of the army at
Cambrils. Our retreat was from the Coll de St. Christina
to Brassin- Vails — Ecus, and Cambrils — a distance of thirty-
three miles.
' On the 17th, Lord Wilham Bentinck ordered me to
leave the division of infantry of my command at Coll de
Balaguer ; and with the whole of the Spanish cavalry to
continue my retreat to the Ebro, and to cross the river as
quickly as possible. The whole of the baggage of the
3rd army, and one division of 2,000 men under the com-
mand of the Duke del Parque had taken the same route
the evening before.
' At ten at night I arrived on the banks of the Ebro,
and found the only means of passage to be a raft, capable
of carrying over four carts ; and one small boat. Tortosa
was distant two leagues ; its garrison 6,500 men ; and
reinforcements immediately expected from Suchet.
' The division of infantry of the Duke's army took up
a position on our right. The baggage of the Duke's army
began to pass, and by dint of the greatest efforts, I col-
lected by the morning eight small boats ; each boat held
two men with their saddles, &c. ; and two horses swam
the river, each man leading his horse* With these
miserable means, I passed over in the day and night of
the 18th [August] the whole of the cavalry and artillery,
excepting six pieces and two squadrons. On the morn-
ing of the 19th, the French attacked General Berenger
* This was a slight error, coiTected in his Eccollect{(yr„s, as will be seen
hereafter.
p 2
212 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
(who commanded the covering division) with six pieces
of cannon, 4,000 infantry, and ninety dragoons. Things
looked very ill ; when the rapid advance of three of my
guns on the right, and three on the left, and their truly
well-directed fire, checked the progress of the enemy,
and induced him to order a retreat. A battalion of grena-
diers, sent by the Duke from the other side of the river,
ably supported by the guns on the left, and the arrival of
the head of the Duke's staff, remedied the errors and
folhes of the General commanding, — who^ I am grieved to
say, was literally as drunk as a beast
' My artillery had never been in fire before ; but they
did wonders. [The French] General Eobert's aide-de-camp
dined with me yesterday, and informed me that they
thought the whole of our cavalry and artillery had crossed
the river ; and that General Eoberf determined upon
retreating as soon as he found out his mistake. We had
two other guns, which could not be used for want of men
and horses, these being on the other side of the river.
I drew them up, however, in the plain, and formed on
their right an immense squadron of all the servants and
mounted followers of the army ; who made a great show,
and served to impose not a httle.
' We have lost about 400 men in killed and wounded,
and the French about double that number. Suchet has
blown up the works of Tarragona, and our troops have
entered the town.
' I hope to be with you in the month October : and I
trust in God that we shall pass many happy days together
in the renewal of those first and beloved impressions which
in good minds are never to be effaced.'
In his ' Eecollections,' Sir Samford has given a very
graphic account of his passage of the Ebro, which, though
more picturesque, differs from the letter written at the
period in only one very trifling fact, and, strange to say,
in that, the ' Eecollections ' appear the more accurate and
ACCOUNT OF PASSING THE EBRO. 213
probable. Perhaps the letter written on active service was
hurried. What was written in 1840, is as follows : —
'On arriving at the Ebro we found ourselves without
boats to effect our passage. We tried to swim the horses
over without dismounting the men. But invariably as
soon as the horse felt a little tired he dropped his hind
quarters, and his rider floated out of the saddle. I linked
a division of horses togetlier, but they had not half crossed
the river, when they began to fight, and they were all
drowned. I finally adopted the plan of putting two men
in a small boat, one to row and one to lead the horses'
That portion of the ' Kecollections ' on this subject
which only repeats what has been already given in quota-
tions from the letter of 22nd August is omitted, but what
comes next is here subjoined, beginning after the repulse
of the garrison of Tortosa : —
' Having failed in their surprise, the French continued
their retreat closely followed by our troops. Like old
and experienced soldiers, they took advantage of every
obstacle to impede our advance, and to cover their retreat.
In this affair I lost a dear and much esteemed friend,
O'Eeilly. He was nephew to the famous Count O'Keilly,
and as gallant a soldier as ever drew sword. We had
studied together at High Wycombe : and on his joining
me in Spain, I made him colonel of a regiment of grena-
diers ; — for all power of promotion, of organization, of
distribution, and of employment of the troops under my
command had been placed by the Spanish Government,
with the approbation of the Duke of Wellington, exclu-
sively in my hands.
' In following up the French too eagerly, at the head of
a single detachment of cavalry, his (O'Eeilly's) horse was
shot under him, and he fell. His cavahy fled, and the
French soldiers who had fired from behind a wall, leaped
over and murdered him in cold blood. I was not two
hundred yards from the spot when he fell ; but in a moment
214 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
he was stripped, and on his bleeding body were discovered
no less than seven bayonet wounds, one of which was
quite through the throat. Severely, however, did the
enemy pay for this act of barbarity. Several hundreds of
their wounded men remained on the field of battle, every
one of whom fell a sacrifice to the manes of O'Eeilly, for
our infuriated soldiers gave no quarter after his death.'
The exact time when the following circumstance oc-
curred, the Editor has not been able to discover. The
account is taken from the ' EecoUections,' and is worthy
of being recorded: —
'My instructions during my stay in Aragon were to
take care of the condition of the horses, and to form the
largest possible depot of grain, and of the means of trans-
port for our future advance into Catalonia. I had no other
means of feeding my troops but by requisitions, which,
however, the Connnissary-General alone was allowed to
make, countersigned by me. But the distribution of the
quantity to be furnished by each town was made by the
municipality of the principal town in the district, upon
the returns furnished by the Chief Commissary, which
returns were countersigned by me. All arbitrary pro-
ceedings were thus checked ; and the receipts of the
Commissary were invariably received by the Spanish
Government in payment of taxes and dues of all kinds.
I adopted the same system in Aragon ; but the result had
not been satisfactory, and the horses were starving for
want of food. Had this abomination been suffered to con-
tinue for a fortnight longer, so far from being in every
respect ready for the field, my 3,000 cavalry and 36 pieces
of horse-artillery (the whole of my force in Aragon) would
have been totally inefficient, and good for nothing.
Sancho has an apt saying for such desperate cases, A
males graves remedios fuertes ; (great evils require strong
remedies.) So I directed my favourite Euti to take fifty
hussars, and to collect and bring to my quarters every
GREAT EVILS REQUIRE STRONG REMEDIES. 215
Alcalde (mayor) who had failed to obey my orders. He
brought thirteen! "Gentlemen," said I to them, "it
grieves me more than I have words to express, to be
forced, by your want of patriotism, to have recourse to
measures of severity, at all times repugnant to my feelings,
but peculiarly so in a war entered into in defence of your
religion, your country, and your King ! Coolly and delibe-
rately you appear to have made up your minds to aid and
assist the French, by every indirect means in your power ;
and as I cannot tolerate so pernicious a system, I am de-
sirous that you should experience personally how very
disagreeable it is to be reduced in point of diet to the
lowest possible expression ; and how little can be expected
of men or animals so treated.
' " Euti," I continued, " escort these gentlemen to the
Castle. Let each be lodged in a separate cell, and be
furnished daily with a loaf of bread and a pitcher of water.
Furnish them also with pen, ink, and paper for their corre-
spondence ; and let them know, that no change Avill take
place in their position till all my requisitions have been
attended to."
' In less than a week my magazines were full, and I
never had any further cause of complaint.'
We now return to the correspondence of the period, at
an interesting moment to General Whittingham.
On the 9th August, 1812, he had sent in his resignation
to the English Ambassador of his Spanish command ; but
had withdrawn it at the request of that amiable and dis-
tinguished functionary, under whom he was serving as a
military agent. Since then the division had established
an honourable reputation. Yet on the 5th August, 1813,
he once more resigned his Spanish command in disgust at
the treatment he had received from Spanish Ministers. On
that day he sent his resignation to the Kegency ; and the
day following to Lord Wellington.
On the 28th and 31st August, and on the 4th Sep-
216 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
tember small parties of the Majorca division greatly dis-
tinguished themselves in skinnishes ; the details of which
are carefully preserved in Eeports numbered 1, 2, and 3.
There is only space to record that on the 28th August,
Captain Francisco Fernandez, of the regiment of Light
Dragoons of Olivencia, by repeated and successful charges
against a superior body of French horse and foot, covered
himself with glory and put the enemy to flight.
The following letter signed by the illustrious Com-
mander-in Chief of the allied armies, after being carefully
written by one of his Staff, (evidently meant to be secret
and confidential, though not so marked) instead of as
usually in a clerk's hand, speaks for itself: —
The Marquis of Wellington to Major-General
Whittingham,*
^ Lesaca, 20th September, 1813.t
' Sir, — I have received your letter of the 6th August,
by the Chief of the Staff of the division of troops under
your command, who now returns with this answer.
'I feel the utmost concern that you should think it
necessary to retire from the Spanish service in consequence
of the use of an expression in the correspondence between
two ministers, which would never have reached you if the
arrangement made with me by the Spanish Gov^. had
been adhered to — that all reports and applications from
the army to the Gov*, and their answer, should pass
through my hands.
' I must also observe, that you have mistaken my in-
* The Editor does not know why Colonel Gurwood left blanks in this
letter, which was so flattering- a testimony to the value of General Whit-
tingham's services.
t In the punctuation of this letter, Gurwood is followed ; but the rest of
it accurately copies the original now lying before the Editor, which differs
from the letters given by Gurwooi — 1st, in the order of dating ; 2nd, in
the number of the word * arrangement '5 3rd, in abbreviations of the word
' Government.'
WITHHOLDS HIS PAPERS TILL HE SHOULD HEAR AGAIN. 217
tentions in my letter of the 8th of January, 1813. I
stated that the funds placed in your hands by His Ma-
jesty's Ambassador, were not to be employed in provisions,
hospitals, or means of transport, but in the pay of the
General and other officers and soldiers present with the
division.
' What I meant by ordering that the money should not
be employed in provisions, was that it should not be em-
ployed in the purchase of bread, to which every Spanish
soldier has a right, besides his daily full pay, which article
was to be found by the Spanish Gov\ ; but I understood
then, as I now understand, that when a Spanish soldier
receives his full pay, he is not entitled to what is called
etape^ or any other support from Gov^, excepting bread ;
and I could not, therefore, mean that the money should
not be laid out to supply the soldier with food necessary
for him besides bread, according to the Ordenanzas of the
Spanish Gov^
' I think this is sufficiently clear in my letter of the 8th
January ; but if that letter should leave any doubt on
that subject, the enclosed extract of a letter to General
Sir John Murray, which I have reason to believe was
communicated to you, and to General Eoche, will have
shown in positive words what my opinions were.
' The practice upon this subject has, I believe, differed
from the regulation, and this may have fallen into disuse;
and at all events, it may be difficult to subsist the soldier
upon his pay. But that is a matter for representation and
further regulation, but not for your resignation.
' Under these circumstances, I have thought it best to
withhold your papers till I shall hear further from you in
answer to this letter.
' I am afraid that it is not in my power to prevail on
the Gov\ to promote Colonel Serrano.
' In regard to the other objects referred to in your letter
of the 22nd August, as it is possible that you may alter
218 MEMOIR OF SIR S. P. WHITTINGIIAM.
your determination of retiring from the Spanish service
in consequence of this letter, it is not necessary that I
should consider them at present.
' I have the honour to be, Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
' M.-General Whittingham, ' WELLINGTON.
< &c., &c., &c.'
As for the mistake referred to in this letter, (a mistake
equally made by General EHo, and General the Duke del
Parque,) that was a circumstance of comparative indif-
ference to General Whittingham. That Lord Wellington
felt the utmost concern at his leaving the Spanish service,
was inducement enough to make him brave any amount
of mortifications which continuance in that service might
entail.
On the 9th August Lord Wellington informed Sir John
Murray that the English Government had determined, on
Admiral Hallowel's letter, to bring him to a court-martial.
Later in the year, in a letter dated Ecus, 25th November,
1813, General Whittingham writes to Colonel Torrens the
military secretary at the Horse- Guards : ' I hope Sir John
Murray will not call on me as an evidence. It was my
opinion and still is — and Sir John knew it all the time, —
that we ought to have marched on the 9th against Decaen,
— have driven him across the Llobregat, blown up the
bridge, and returned instantly to meet Suchet, who could
not have been at Montoblanco before the 16th. It is, and
was my opinion, that Sir John might on a small scale have
equalled the glory of Buonaparte at Mantua. The even-
ing before we broke up, Sir John came to my camp, and
told me that he had determined to march against Decaen,
and that I should move at daylight with three of my
battalions. I have hitherto not mentioned my opinions,
or what passed between Sir John and me to anyone. He
is unfortunate, and God forbid that I should appear against
him in the hght of a pubHc accuser.'
PROMOTED TO THE COMMAND OF 5,000 HORSE. 219
To his Brother-in-law.
* Calanda, 7th October, 1813.*
' I have received so kind a letter from Lord Wellington,
in which his Lordship is pleased to say that he feels the
utmost concern at my idea of leaving the Spanish service,
that I have determined to remain and take my chance to
the end of the war. His Lordship has appointed me to
a very large command of cavalry ; not less than 5,000
horse.
' I have with me, at this place, fifteen squadrons. Our
daily exercises have already rendered them very dex-
terous, and I do think that another month will make
them everything I could wish. This is the first time you
have heard me speak with enthusiasm of the Spanish
cavalry. I cannot, however, help feeling a considerable
degree of pleasure at the idea of succeeding in the regene-
ration of the Spanish cavalry, when everybody else has
failed ! 5,000 horse, with fifteen pieces of horse artillery,
is certainly a fine command ; and if I can make the rest
of the cavalry as good as that which I have now with me,
I do not doubt that the exit will be as favourable as we
could wish.
' If you see General Donkin in town, I pray you be
attentive to him. He is a real friend of mine, and a good
officer and worthy man. In my opinion, he has been very
unfairly coupled with Sir John Murray, in the unfortunate
affair of Tarragona !
' I should be obliged to you if you would order from
Whippy a hussar saddle complete, such as he has always
made for me, and a hussar bridle ; the bit of which to be
large and heavy like those used by the soldiers of the 1st
regiment of German hussars.
' I am grieved most deeply to be again deprived of the
pleasure of seeing you and yours this winter. But I am
* In this letter he announces the birth of his eldest (surviving) son.
220 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
sure that you will agree with me, that when such a man
as Lord Wellington condescends to express a wish, it
must be the glory, as well as the duty, of any soldier to
obey [him].
' Yours ever,
' Samforb Whittingham.'
General Whittingham was not present at the action, in
the pass of Ordel, in which Lord William Bentinck's ad-
vance guard under Colonel Adam (who had so distin-
guished himself at Castalla) was attacked and forced to
retire with the loss of four pieces of artillery. In his dis-
patch to Field-Marshal the Marquis of Wellington dated
Tarragona, 15th September, 1813, Lord WiUiam states:
' I had not numbers equal to those which the French
could bring against me ; I had been obliged to leave the
division of General Whittingham at Ecus and Vals, from
the want of provisions and means of transport.' General
Whittingham must have been greatly mortified at his en-
forced absence on this occasion, though he must have
derived some consolation from learning that such of the
Spanish troops as were present at that unfortunate affair,
equally, with the English, distinguished themselves by
their steadiness and gallantry.
To his Brother-in-law.
^Calanda, 10th October, 1813.
' The state of politics in this country is woeful. The
Government are doing everything in their power to in-
commode Lord Wellington. But great changes are soon
expected.
' The Spanish cavalry has done nothing during the war.
It is in a state of complete disorganization : immoveable
from want of discipline and instruction ; sunk and de-
pressed from misery and want ; accustomed to defeat, and
almost deprived of the hope of success ! Under these cir-
FRATERNAL EPANCHEMENT DE C(EUF. 221
cumstances, you will readily conceive that I have not a
moment to lose in commencing a system of organization,
and I may say of regeneration ; which must either, on
the trial of the effects produced, lead them and me to
immortal glory, or plunge us one and all into the abyss
of disgrace and dishonour !
' I have been for the last month at work with twelve
squadrons. Their daily progress has exceeded my warm-
est expectations, and I trust in God and our good cause
that " every man will do his duty."
' If, in spe-iking to you in the confidence of the truest
friendship, any expression should escape me which may
look like self-praise, do not attribute it to vanity. I cer-
tainly believe and hope that it could not proceed from so
poor a source.
' The great advantage that I have hitherto had in the
different commands which I have held in the Spanish ser-
vice, has arisen from the study I have always made it to
cultivate the greatest harmony and good- will amongst the
corps, officers and soldiers, of the troops under my orders.
I have laid it down as a system — to behave kindly to all,
— to cultivate by every means in my power the happiness
and comfort of officers and men ; to forgive and forget
the errors and wanderings of youth and inexperience, and
to punish with a severity even beyond the law everything
which could throw the slightest blemish upon that honour
and exaltation of sentiment, without which no soldier can
deserve the name.*
' The result, my dear Davis, has been the heartfelt
satisfaction of being idolized both by soldiers and officers ;
and of seeing officers and soldiers of these different armies,
all now united under my command, living together as
one family, and without a single instance having occurred
of the slightest dispute or disagreement.
* This sentiment has long been carefully fostered in the Prussian army,
and greatly contributes to its excellence.
222 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' On this basis I build my principal hopes of success.
The morale of the Spanish cavalry has been destroyed by
neglect, and I hope to raise it by being their friend and
protector; by participating in all their hardships and
sufferings, by providing, by every means in my power,
for their wants and necessities, and above all by showing
them on the day of battle, that example, without which
all the tactics in the world are of no avail.*
If the reader will recollect that the writer was a British
Lieutenant-Colonel of only little more than two years'
standing, he will not be surprised that the being entrusted
by Lord Wellington and the Spanish Government with
the prospective command of 5,000 cavalry, should have
raised his hopes of being serviceable to his country and
its alhes, to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. Had the
Peninsular war been prolonged for a couple of years, the
example of the Majorca division might have been repeated
on a larger scale, by the cavalry of Spain, under the orders
of an Englishman who had gained the confidence of the
Duke of Wellington and of the Spanish nation.
To his Brother-in-law.
' Reus,* IQth November, 1813.
' I have this moment received your affectionate letter
of the 2nd October, and am grieved beyond measure that
my silence should have occasioned so much uneasiness to
you. It was occasioned by my waiting for Lord Welling-
ton's decision upon my resignation. With his lordship's
flattering answer you are already acquainted. I have for
the last two months been hard at work with the cavalry.
The twelve squadrons, which I have sent to Saragossa,
manoeuvre well at a gallop, and charge in a very fine
* Here lie had been left, as alread} explained, by Lord William Bentinck ;
and was thus saved from sharing a repulse : which, however, it is by no
means improbable his division might have changed into a victory, as it was
by superior numbers that the French gained their advantage.
COLONEL TORRENS'S LETTER TO MR. DAVIS. 223
style. In Calanda I have as many more to form ; and
the whole is shortly to be increased to 5,000 — if any at-
tention can be paid to rumours ; my future destiny is still,
however, undecided. One report says that I am to com-
mand all the cavalry of the right ; another, that I am to
command a separate corps d'armee in upper Aragon ; a
third, that Copons goes to the Ministry of War, and that
I am to command in chief the army of Catalonia.'
Colonel Torrens to R. H, Davis, Esq. M.P,
(Extract.)
' HoRSE-GuAKDS, 19th November, 1813.
'I now return the interesting papers which you enclosed
me in your letter of the 31st ultimo ; and I assure you that
in those which so strongly mark the military energy and
talents of my friend Whittingham, I have derived a satis-
faction equally decided with the disgust and indignation
naturally excited by a perusal of his correspondence with
the Spanish Government. It is no wonder that such
treatment and base insinuation should induce him to give
in his resignation ; though, at the same time, one could
not help regretting that he should have given way to the
evident aim which they had in view. Now that danger
is removed from the immediate door of the Spanish nation,
their little jealousies will lead them to disgust, and dismiss
if they can, every foreign officer. But I rejoice to find
that Lord Wellington's interference has induced Whitting-
ham to disappoint them for this time. The command
which his Lordship has given W. is most desirable and
flattering ; and I have no doubt but that he will derive
great credit from it. I have also had a letter from him^
acquainting me with this change in his destination.'
Major-General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
' Reus, 25j5A Novembe?-, 1813.
' Lord Wellington has proposed that I shall have the
command of about 6,000 cavalry. Nine regiments are
224 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
already under my orders. I am ordered to reorganize
them completely. I have already sent four regiments to
Saragossa in a very good state of manoeuvre. Having
now this very large command of cavalry, I have been
obhged to mount myself with a couple of good English
hunters ; and, I am sorry to say, they have cost me
so much money that I fear that my affairs will be a
little deranged by it. They have each cost me 550
dollars.
' Torrens, in a private letter of the 21st October, con-
cludes his truly kind and affectionate epistle by saying :
" Should you quit the Spanish service, you must be placed
at the head of a regiment of cavalry : I have already
mentioned this to the Duke,* who has received it most
graciously." What a magnificent thing this would be
for me ! '
This was a bitter subject to him afterwards. Though
his only real English regimental service had been in the
cavalry, yet, unfortunately, his promotions successively to
Major and Lieutenant-Colonel had been to infantry half-
pay. At the period in question he might have been
transferred to the cavalry. But in later years, when
a general officer, he could obtain only the honorary
colonelcy of an infantry regiment, on the plea that he
had not served in the cavalry as a field officer ! That
was carrying routine rather far in the case of a man who
had always served in the cavalry, English or Allied ; and
to whom Lord Wellington had, towards the close of the
Peninsular War, entrusted 6,000 Spanish horse for com-
plete organization !
On the 23rd October, 1813, Lord Wellington writes
to Sir Henry Wellesley : ' The Cortes have acted in
respect of the resignation as they have on every other
* Of York — the Commander-in-Chief.
WELLINGTON RESIGNS COMMAND OF SPANISH ARMY. 225
subject.* The delay is a matter of indifference to me ;
and things may go on as they are, as long as they choose
to delay. In the meantime the Minister of War has
written me a most impertinent letter, of which I shall
take no notice.' Lord Wellington adds : ' I would re-
commend you, if you find the new Cortes act upon the
same democratical system as the last, to quit them, and
travel about to amuse yourself.'
Lord Wellington had little reason to be pleased with
the democratic government of the Cortes, which con-
tinued most of the abuses of Old Spain, without the
responsibility or regularity of the monarchical rule.
It cannot, therefore, be surprising, that General Whit-
tingham shared the feelings of his chief ; and that, though
(unlike the latter) his antecedents were not likely to make
him otherwise than liberal minded, he was not pleased
with the very republican form of government now estab-
lished in Spain ; for which that country was then, as it is
now, quite unfit, for want of sufficient education and
civilization. It is necessary to take these facts into con-
sideration, in judging of the future proceedings of General
Whittingham in Spain ; and also to bear in mind that, as
a foreigner in command of troops, he deemed it his duty
to take no part whatever in any political intrigues or
changes of government ; unless, at the request of the
Enghsh Ambassador, when his services were deemed
necessary.
To his Brother-in-law.
' Sakagossa, 2Sth December, 1813.
' As a proof how much more easy it is to feel the
extent of the sacrifices which one may be called on to
make, than to carry that sentiment into execution. Lord
Wellington himself — in spite of his admirable system
* Lord Wellington had, in disgust, sent in his resignation of the com-
mand of the Spanish army.
Q
226 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
of forbearance — sent in his formal resignation of the
supreme command of the Spanish armies, not long since ;
and in the discussion in the Cortes, whether it should be
[accepted] or not, the point was only carried in his favour
by a majority of four votes!
' He is, however, thank God ! again firmly seated ;
and I hope and trust, that when all the members of the
Cortes have taken their seats, we shall see a new Eegency,
and a new Ministry of War — without which, believe me,
things cannot go on long. The cavalry under my com-
mand is composed of nine regiments. The division of
Majorca is under my command as before. The artillery
fifteen pieces, horse.
' The Inspector-General of Cavalry wrote to me the
other day, to say that I might consider myself as possess-
ing all his powers ; and that I had nothing to do but to
propose whatever arrangements might appear to me good,
in the certainty that they would be approved of by him.
The Inspector [General] wished to have placed all the
cavalry in the kingdom under my orders ; and he did me
the honour to assure Lord Wellington that the only cavalry
worthy of the name would be that which I should form !
' May I hope that these flattering circumstances will
aid and assist my anxious desire to be placed at the head
of a British regiment of cavalry ? * Several officers of no
great interest have lately been put at the head of cavalry
regiments at home. M , of the loth, has got the
Inniskilling Dragoons.
' You would be delighted to see how extremely well
eighteen of my squadrons manoeuvre. I am fearful to
say all I think of them. But I doubt whether I have
seen anything better in any country. I cannot tell you
what Lord WelUngton means to do with my cavalry. I
hope to God he will attach it to his army. It is really
good. I am capitally mounted, though half ruined with
■^ As Lieutenant-Colonel commanding.
ELECTED MEMBER OF ROYAL ACADEMY OF SAN LUIS. 227
the expense. I have now seven nags fit for the field.
The harmony and union wliich reign in all the corps of
cavalry under my command is the admiration of all ! I
shall write to Lord Welhngton to request that he will
allow me to send an officer to England for the clothing.
' Torrens has already made me an effective Lieutenant-
Colonel from the 30th May, 1811.*
' I have been elected a member of the Eoyal Academy
of Arts and Sciences of San Luis, established in this
town ; and the flattering distinctions that I have received
here are beyond description. My route to and from the
Sunday parades appears more like a Eoman triumph than
anything else ; and the whole population of Saragossa
appear to vie one with another in doing me honour !
Yet in the midst of all the brilHancy of parade and dis-
tinction, my heart beats to return to the scenes of love
and affection which await me in your beloved society ;
and the happiness I enjoy is only the anticipation of the
blessings which await me at home ! '
Alas ! for the enthusiastic pride and hopes of the
warrior. At length he had obtained a rank and position,
and a command sufficiently large to give him sanguine
hopes of being able to serve his country (through its
allies) on a larger scale and in a more effectual manner
than ever. But peace was rapidly approaching, and with
it was to disappear the last chance of the re-establishing
in the field the lost character of the Spanish cavalry.
'Tis not in mortals to command complete success ; but it
is at least something to have deserved it, not only by the
testimony of his own conscience, but by the approval of
that great and fortunate man who, besides securing his
own renown, had acquired authority to stamp deserving
merit with the seal of his invaluable and durable recog-
nition.
* An effective infantry Lieutenant-Colonelcy, being a matter of rejoicing
to a General commanding 6,000 horse, forms here an amusing incident.
q2
228 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEK XL
1814.
SPANISH PROMOTIONS — A PRAYER NOT HEARD — LORD WELLINGTON'S
FEARS REGARDING SPAIN — RECEPTION OF FERDINAND VII. AT SARAGOSSA
— A TRIUMPHANT ENTRY — CONSTITUTION UNPOPULAR IN SPAIN— THE
KING REQUESTS GEN. \V. TO ACCOMPANY HIM TO VALENCIA — THE
ROYAL PRESENT — ARRESTS — ^ THE MAJESTY THAT DOTH HEDGE A
king' — THE KING AND DON CARLOS'S FLATTERING REQUEST— THfi
duke's TESTIMONY TO THE MERITS AND SERVICES OF GENERAL WHIT-
tingham — his conversation with the duke — unpopularity of
king ferdinand in england — appointed aide-de-camp to the
prince regent — promotion to lieut. -general in spain — sir john
Murray's court-martial — sir henry wellesley recommends
general whittingham to viscount castlereagh — the earl of
fife's letter — MARSHAL SUCHET's OPINION OF WHITTINGHAM —
inquisition established in spain — spanish finances — sir john
Murray's trial — unlucky ^buts' — general mina's rebellion —
recollections of king ferdinand — triumphal royal route — the
king and the constitution — royal thanks — general whitting-
ham commanded to continue with his majesty — general zayas
sounds general whittingham — his opinion not approved —
arrests — march on madrid — cavalry field-day — lieutenant-
generalship conferred by the king — ministry of war offered
; — declined after reference — takes leave op the king and don
ANTONIO.
To his Brother-in-law.
' ALUMifiA, 12th February^ 1814.
' Convinced that pence must soon take place, I am
doubly anxious to secure at home such a situation as
may enable me to live amongst my best and dearest
friends, with the respectability which I conceive neces-
sary, after the command which I have held in this
country.
' In my campaigns in this countiy I have the singular
satisfaction to be able to state that all my [Spanish] com-
SPANISH PROMOTIONS. 229
missions have been gained in the field of battle ; and
have been granted to me as a reward of service, without
the slightest intervention on the part of any person. In
[the case of] Baylen, I was made effective colonel of
cavalry. In Mora and Consuegra,* brigadier. In Tala-
vera, Mariscal de Campo. Still, however, I long to
return to the service of my own country ; and I would
not hesitate a moment between being a British Colonel,
or a Lieu tenant-General in any other service. If, how-
ever, circumstances should render this impossible, I must,
I fear, give up those hopes which have ever been most
cherished by my heart ; and continue my services here.
' I confess to you that I have not the best opinion of
the future state of things in this country. I enclose a
gazette containing the peace treated of by Buonaparte
and Ferdinand the Seventh ; and the decree of the Cortes
in consequence. We expect the King to return here
soon. It is not easy to imagine what Buonaparte's
motives can be for sending him. I fear much that dis-
putes will occur between the King and the Cortes, which
may lead to a civil war ; or at least to differences, which
the Corsican may know too well how to avail himself of.
All will depend upon the class of men in whom the King
may place his confidence, God grant that he may choose
well If
'I enclose also another gazette of a review of my
fourteen squadrons of cavalry, and of one of artillery
given by me to the authorities of Saragossa.'
To the Same.
' Saragossa, 20th March, 1814.
' Nothing can be more grievous than the uncertainty
and delay of our correspondence ! I [only] yesterday
received your letter of the 31st January !
* No accounts of the combat of Consuegra have reached the Editor's
hands. It was one of Alburquerque's successful actions,
t This prayer was not heard.
230 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' I enclose tlie state papers which have been pubhshed
here relative to the mission of the Duke of San Carlos.*
' In this country I have no idea of remaining. The
republican party is every day gaining ground ; and civil
war must ultimately decide the contest.
'Lord WeUington is finally arranging the form and
number of the Spanish armies. This will determine
when and how, and where I am to be employed. In the
mean time my cavalry continues to improve and is very
fit for any service.' f
Lord Wellington writing to his brother the Ambas-
sador on the 22nd March, 1814, says : ' I am very much
afraid that the real mischief is only now beginning in
Spain. I was always certain that the conduct of the
people of Madrid towards the Cortes would, after a short
time, be the same as that of the people of Cadiz. No
popular assembly can exist if it opens its galleries under
any other system than that in use in England, unless the
press is restrained. I heard at Tarbes the other day that
the King had passed Toulouse on his return to Spain.
Again on the 27th March, Lord Wellington writes : ' You
will have heard that King Ferdinand passed Toulouse on
the 18th on his way to Spain.'
On the 30th April from Toulouse Lord Wellington
writes to his brother : ' I shall be very anxious to hear
of the King's decision and conduct in regard to the
constitution.'
Major- General Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
<■ Madkid, 21si5 May, 1814.
' I enclose copies of all the official papers which have
passed relative to my march here ; and I shall now at-
* Friend of, and Minister to, Ferdinand VII.
t By a Return of 1st April, 1814, in Spanish, General Whittingham's
force at Saragossa consisted of nine regiments of infantry, eleven regiments
of cavalry, and 18 pieces of horse -artillery : a large command for a British
Lieut.-Colonel, — Vide Appendix B.
ACCOMPANIES THE KlNCi. 231
tempt to give you some idea of what took place from the
time of my going to meet the King in upper Aragon.
' On the 12th of March, we received advice at Sara-
gossa, that the King had determined upon taking that
route, instead of going direct to Valencia ; and that he
would be at Seville on the following day. I immediately
pushed on about 300 dragoons ; with orders to station
themselves by troops on the route, and to advance as far
as possible ; and myself taking post * set off immediately
in the same direction. I met the King at f , where
my cavalry relieved that of the first army.
' As soon as I approached the King's carriage, His
Majesty said to me ' Como va ? Tiempo ha que tenemos
muclia gana de conocerte.'^ From that day, I received
the most marked attention from His Majesty, and the
Prince, Don Carlos. The King's entrance into Saragossa,
and, in short, into all the towns of Aragon, was such a
triumph, as it is impossible to express, and not easy to
conceive, except by those who witnessed those happy
scenes. But if the marks of joy and exultation were
strong beyond measure at the King's return, the expres-
sions of dislike and detestation of the Constitution were
not less general and strong : and His Majesty, from his
entrance into Aragon till his arrival at Madrid, never
heard any language that could induce him for a moment
to believe that the Constitution had merited the approba-
tion of his subjects. ISTor is this to be wondered at. In
the fury of their republican zeal, the rulers of the Cortes
had attacked, openly and in the most violent manner, the
nobility, the clergy, and the army; and consequently
had made the whole of these respectable classes their
* Travelling post by relays of horses was then the mode of quick travel-
ling in Spain.
t At the moment of writing, he appears to have forgotten the name of
the place (perhaps a small village) where he met the King.
X '■ How do you do ? For a long time we have much desired to know
you.'
232 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
enemies. They had also, in the plenitude of their finan-
cial ignorance, done away with all the old duties, and
revenues of Spain ; and established, in stead, what they
called ' la contribucion unica y directa ' ; a tax exactly
similar to our income tax. You will recollect with what
reluctance this tax was admitted in England, although
it was only to meet a small part of our expenditure,
and although England from her commerce, interior and
exterior, has so large a circulating medium, that dis-
bursements must be to her, compared with Spain, of
little burthen ! You will easily, therefore, conceive the
effect of such a tax on the Spanish peasantry,* and to
an extent sufficient to meet the whole expenditure of
government.
' The mind of the Spanish nation was in a state of
ferment ; and the presence of the King produced an im-
mediate explosion.
' Had the King found the nation in general attached
to the new Constitution, he would undoubtedly have
sworn to it. But never was a national opinion more
decidedly, or more openly pronounced. Not a shadow
of doubt could remain upon the King's mind.
' The King staid four days at Saragossa ; reviewed my
cavalry ; and was pleased to say everything that was
kind and flattering. I accompanied him, with relays of
troops, as far as the frontier of Aragon, where I met my
Commander-in-Chief, General Elio. On my approaching
the King to take leave, he said ' No te vayas. Tengo
mucho gusto en que me accompanes. Ven conjnigo a
Valencia J f
^At Valencia, I remained two days, and on taking
* It appears that in Spain, no income, however, small, escaped the tax in
question — a law that would never he tolerated in England.
t His brother-in-law being a good Spanish scholar, the original alone is
in the letter. His Majesty said, ' Don't go. I have much pleasure in your
accompanying me. Come with me to Valencia.'
THE KING AND DON CARLOS'S FLATTERING REQUEST. 233
leave, the King made me a present of a beautiful mosaic
snufF-box, which he desired me to keep in remembrance
of him.*
' The remainder of the details of my march you will
be perfectly acquainted with by the enclosed official
correspondence. Many of the leading people were ar-
rested the night before the King arrived at Madrid, by
the Captain-General Eguia, and there is no longer a
shadow of doubt, from the republican papers that have
been seized, and the secret correspondence with France,
that had the King sworn to the Constitution, he would
have gone to the scaffold in less than six months.'
From this letter, a great deal in praise of King Ferdi-
nand has been here omitted, as General Whittingham at
a later period reluctantly discovered that the amiable and
plausible but fickle and weak-minded prince was very
far from being the promising Sovereign he had mistaken
him for in the first excitement of His Majesty's return to
his loving and enthusiastic subjects, for such were at that
time the great masses of the Spanish nation. Shakspeare
confesses that there is ' a Majesty that doth hedge a
King,' but a King smiling, fiattering, grateful, plausible,
affable, is surrounded by a double hedge of Majesty. No
wonder that for a time the Englishman in his service
should have imbibed a personal partiality for a Sovereign,
who on his part displayed so flattering an appreciation of
his foreign General. f
* This box Sir Samford, some nine or ten years later, gave to his beloved
and respected friend, the lion. Sir Edward Paget. This not very valuable
gift was all Sir Samford ever received from King Ferdinand.
t If General Whittingham erred in his opinion of King Ferdinand, and
of his popularity at this time in Spain, he erred in good company. In a
letter dated * Madrid, 25th May, 1814-,' and addressed to Sir Charles Stuart,
the Duke of Wellington writes, * you will have heard of the extraordinary
occurrences here, though not probably with surprise. Nothing can he more
popular than the King and his measures, as far as they have gone to the over~
throw of the Constitution. The imprisonment of the Liberates is thought by
some, I believ6 with justice, unnecessary, and it is certainly highly impolitic ;
234 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
To his Brother-in-law.
' Madrid, 23;- J May, 1814.
' The King of Spain continues to distinguish me by
every possible mark of attention. I expect daily the
commission of Lieutenant-General.
' The King and the Infante Don Carlos, are anxious that
I should remain in their service : but they know not of
what materials my heart is composed, and that I prefer
the love of my best and dearest friends to all the glory in
the world !'
Lieutenant-Colonel Whittingham, for he now usually
reverts to his British rank, determined to return to Eng-
land ; but before leaving he desired to obtain from the
great Duke, ' never prodigal of praise^' some more decided
opinion as to the merits of his services in Spain than
was to be gathered from the many strong but indirect
proofs of confidence which had been hitherto vouchsafed
to him.
The result was the following letter, and, considering
the character of the illustrious writer, a more comprehen-
sive testimonial can scarcely be imagined, than the words
now placed in italics : —
The Duke of Wellington to His Royal Highness the Duke
of York.
^ Madrid, 4th June, 1814.
' Sir, — Colonel Whittingham (Mariscal de Campo,* in
the service of Spain) having informed me that it would
but it is liked by the people at large.' In the same letter the Duke writes,
' I entertain a very favourable opinion of the King, from what I have seen of
him, but not of his Ministers.' — Wellington Dispatches, vol. xii. p. 27.
* Had this letter been delayed a little longer, instead of * Mariscal de
Campo ' (that is Major-General), the Spanish rank would have been Lieu-
tenant-General, that is the highest; for Captain- General was (then at least
if not now) rather an appointment than a rank, and for it all Lieutenant-
Generals were eligible.
LORD Wellington's recommendation. 235
be necessary for him to return to England in a short time,
and having expressed a desire that I should lay before
your Eoyal Highness my sense of his services and merits,
I beg leave to inform your Eoyal Highness, that he has
served most zealously and gallantly from the commencement
of the war in the Peninsula ; and that I have had every
reason to he satisfied with his conduct in every situation in
which he has been 'placed.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
' Wellington.'
^ His Eoyal Highness the Duke of York.'
His Grace probably styled Lieutenant-Colonel Whit-
tingham, Colonel by courtesy, but he may have known
that on that very day, the ' London Gazette ' was pub-
lishing his promotion.
To his Brother-in-la
w.
* Madkid, Uh June, 1814.
' I have had a long and very satisfactory conversation
with the Duke of Wellington. He is decidedly of opinion
that I should by no means think of giving up the British
service, although he believes that there will be no ob-
jection to my continuing in this part for the moment. He
has promised to speak to the Duke [of York] upon the
subject of my commission being dated in the year [180]9,
which he seems to think may be done with perfect pro-
priety. He also gave me a letter of recommendation to
H.E.H. the Duke, " although " as he kindly said " that
will not prevent my speaking to H.E.H. as I shall see him
before you."
'Castanos has given me a letter to General Gordon,
reminding him of the King's [George HI.] promise, and
begging him to submit my case to H.M.'s consideration.
I hope also to obtain from the King of Spain a strong
letter of recommendation to the Pruice Eegent.'
236 MEMOIR OF Sill S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Meantime, the conduct of the King of Spain had made
him very unpopular in England, and that unpopularity
was destined later to extend to General Whittingham, as
if he could have in any way interfered in the political
government of Spain, or had the least authority for so
doing.
The Duke of Wellington wrote from London, (20th
July, 1814), to Sir Henry Wellesley. 'It is not easy to
describe the unpopularity attached to the King's name,
from the occurrences at his return to Madrid. The news-
papers afford some specimens of it : but at a late dinner
at Guildhall, I recommended to the Lord Mayor to drink
the King of Spain's health, and he told me that he was
become so unpopular in the city, he was afraid that, if the
toast were not positively refused, it would at least be re-
ceived with so much disgust as to render it very disagree-
able to me and to every well wisher to the Spanish
Government.'
To his Brother-in-law.
* Madrid, 8th June, 1814.
' I march this evening to Alcala, where I have directed
sixteen squadrons of cavalry, and one of horse-artillery,
to assemble. They are to manoeuvre under my direction,
fifteen or twenty days previously to their being seen by
His Majesty. This will occasion a small delay in my
return home.'
To the Same.
^ Madrid, 1st July, 1814.
' I have seen by the Gazette [of the 4th June] that I
have had the high and distinguished honour to be ap-
pointed aide-de-camp to his Eoyal Highness the Prince
of Wales ! It would be indeed difficult to express my
feelings on this occasion.
RECOMMENDATION OF GENERAL WHITTINGHAM. 237
' The King of Spain has promoted me to the rank of
Lieutenant-General ; * and [H.M.] assured me the other
day, in a manner truly affecting from its kindness, that
nothing could grieve him more profoundly than my
quitting his service ; an event which he hoped and trusted
would never take place.'
To the Same.
* Madrid, 14th July, 1814.
' My dear Davis, — This night I begin my march for
Bourdeaux, through Saragossa.
' I had scarcely taken the pen in my hand, when I
received an official summons to attend Sir John Murray's
court-martial at Tarragona. This will create a consider-
able delay. Mrs. W. will remain at Saragossa ; and I
shall proceed on to Catalonia. I have written to you
fully, under cover to Torrens, a few days since. I send
this to Bilboa.
' Yours ever most truly,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Before leaving Madrid, the English Ambassador added
his testimony to the services of General Whittingham,
entering into more details than his illustrious brother had
done : —
Sir Henry Wellesley to Viscount Castlereagh.
' Madrid, 227id July, 1814.
' My Lord, — Lieutenant-General Whittingham being
about to embark for England, I have taken the liberty of
giving him this letter of introduction to your Lordship.
'The services of General Whittingham, from the period
of the breaking out of the general war against France,
have obtained for him the approbation of his Eoyal
Highness the Prince Eegent, as well as that of the
* This commission as Lieut. -General was dated 16th June, 1814.
238 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
Spanish Government. He was with General Castanos, as
a mihtary agent at the battle of Baylen ; and, in tlie fol-
lowing campaign, was severely wounded at the battle of
Talavera, while leading a Spanish corps into action.
' During the period of his residence at Cadiz, he was
employed in the formation of a corps of cavalry : and he
afterwards formed the division, which, under his orders,
behaved w^ith the greatest gallantry at the battle of Cas-
talla ; where it repulsed the attack of nearly the whole
of Suchet's corps, and where General Whittingham was
again wounded.*
' I have before informed your Lordship that General
Whittingham had the good fortune to receive the King
at Saragossa, at the head of a division of cavalry, of
which he undertook the formation, at the desire of the
Duke of Wellington. This division has since been re-
viewed at Madrid by the King, and was so highly ap-
proved by His Majesty, that immediately after the review
he conferred upon General Whittingham the rank of
Lieutenant-Gener al .
' I have thought it my duty to mention these circum-
stances, so honourable to an officer whose conduct during
his employment in Spain has entitled him to general
respect and esteem.
' I have, &c.,
' H. Wellesley.'
The following letter, as being also a testimonial to
General f Whittingham's services, equally flattering, is
here inserted a little out of its place, to complete the
estimate of his military services at this period : —
* It was at Conceiitayna (an action that took place a little before that of
Castalla) that General Whittingham was the second time wounded in the
face. The Editor can find no record of his having been hit at Castalla.
t Whilst he was still in Spain, in spite of the peace, English as well as
Spaniards still called him General ; but on the part of the English this was
now only by courtesy.
LORD fife's letter TO GENERAL WHITTINGIIAM. 239
The Earl of Fife to General Whittingham.
^ Paris, Slst December, 1814.
' My clear Whittingham, — As you know my friendship
for you, and everyone who served in Spain is aware of
the great regard and high opinion I always entertained
of you, it will not be surprising when I inform you how
much pleasure I had in hearing your praises from the
highest authority^ concerning your conduct in the last two
campaigns.
' I was particularly anxious to know from the French
officers who had served in that part of Spain where you
were latterly employed, their opinion of your merits
and exertions ; and, believe me, yourself, or your
warmest friends, could not have wished more favourable
answers.
' The Duke of Albufera, Marshal Suchet, spoke to me
a long time about you, and told me that he was sur-
prised at the perfection you had brought your division
to, and that they were in as high a military state as any
of his own troops, and, he believed, as any other sol-
diers in Europe ; that he had had frequent occasion to
admire your conduct in the field ; and his opinion of you
was that of a most meritorious officer.
' I was witness to a great part of your exertions in the
cause, and was aware what difficulties on all sides you
had to encounter. Nothing can be more satisfactory
than the result ; and I most heartily congratulate you,
on your having so steadily persevered in a contest which
has gained you a reputation even among your former
enemies, of an excellent officer. With every good wish,
believe me, my dear Whittingham,
' Your very sincere friend,
'FlFE.'^^'
* See Preface, for Lord Fife's letter to the Editor, (in confirmation of the
above testimony,) in 1845.
240 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Such a letter, written by one of the bravest of English-
men, who courted danger as a volunteer, almost for its
own sake, is valuable in itself ; but as conveying also the
more important approval of one of Napoleon's cleverest
Marshals, it must ever be treasured by the descendants
of General Whittingham, as an invaluable testimony to
his merits and exertions ; second only to the compre-
hensive certificate of the Duke of Wellington.
To Major-General Sir Henry Torrens.^
(Extract.)
' Saeagossa, ^nd Augtist, 1814.
' My dear Torrens, — ^Your letter of the 12th [ultimo]
I received here on the 21st July ; and am most parti-
cularly obliged for the leave you have obtained of His
Eoyal Highness the Prince Eegent, and His Eoyal High-
ness the Commander-in-Chief, [for me] to continue my
services in this country.
' I had come thus far on my route to Tarragona, to
attend the court-martial of Sir John Murray ; but on my
arrival at this town, I received intimation that it would
not take place at Tarragona, but was transferred to
London.
' Previous to the return of my division of Cavalry to
Aragon, we had a field-day before the King, [at Madrid]
who was pleased to express his highest satisfaction. Im-
mediately after the review^ His Majesty said to me, " In
proof of how much I esteem you, and how highly
penetrated I am with [a sense of] your merit, you
will receive to-morrow the commission of Lieutenant-
General."
' When I waited upon His Majesty to inform him of
the honour His Eoyal Highness the Prince Eegent had
* All extracts from letters, where the writers are not named, are from the
letters of General Whittingham.
INQUISITION. — DERANGED FINANCES. 241
been pleased to confer upon me, and to ask leave to re-
turn to England for eight or twelve months, His Majesty-
expressed much satisfaction at my appointment. At the
same time he did me the honour to say, " I hope that
you do not mean to quit my service. Be assured it would
be a matter of great grief to me that you should do so."
' Many things have taken place since the arrival of
His Majesty at Madrid which will, I fear, produce much
discontent ; and most particularly the re-establishment of
the Inquisition! The army at least has received this
[measure] with decided disapprobation.
' The question of the Inquisition was long and warmly
disputed. The Duke of San Carlos ; Macanar, Minister
of Gracia and Justicia ; Lardizaval, Minister of [the]
Indies ; Escoiquez, the priest who accompanied the
King to France ; were decidedly against it : and His
Majesty had said that he Avould take no determination
till the reunion of the Cortes, "\vhen he would submit
the question to their decision. But the weight of
influence of the Infante Don Antonio ; of Ostalara
confessor to the Infimte Don Carlos ; of the Minister of
War, Eguia ; of the Marquis of Palacio ; and the repre-
sentations in favour of its re-establishment, of very many
towns ; at length prevailed, and the King was induced to
reauthorize a tribunal of secret despotism, and to legalize
tyranny of the worst class.
' The greatest, or at least the most pressing evil, how-
ever, which affects this country is the deranged state of
the finances.
' Under these circumstances. His Majesty ascended the
throne ; and although orders were given to do away
[with] the income tax, and to re-establish the old duties,
yet a very considerable time must elapse before any bene-
ficial consequences can be expected.' *
* These details having been mentioned in a previous letter, are not re-
peated in this extract.
R
242 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
As ill his letter to his brother-in-law, so in his letter to
Sir Henry Torrens, his personal attachment and partiality
to King Ferdinand, is very conspicuous. That plausible
and personally popular monarch, by his gracious smiles
and by his really friendly appreciation of the Englishman
who had served him so well, had thrown a temporary
veil over his real character and vices; which after all
were those of a weak and timid, rather than of a de-
praved and wicked nature.
To Sir Henry Torrens.
(Extract.)
' Saeagossa, SOth September^ 1814.
' My dear Torrens, — I was on the point of beginning
my journey to England to appear as a witness on the
trial of Sir John Murray, when I received a letter from
Sir John, dated Barcelona, stating that he was still in
hopes, in consequence of his representations, that the
trial would take place in Catalonia ; and requesting that I
would await at Saragossa the final determination of
H.E.H. the Eegent. I have now received a letter from
him saying that he has received the final answer, and
that the trial is to take place in London^ to which place
he returns by land to France.'
' As Sir John travels through France with his own
horses and carriage, I hope to be in England as soon as
he can. At all events, the difference cannot be great.
' Could I have avoided quitting Spain at this moment, I
have been given to understand, I should have been ap-
pointed Inspector-General of Cavalry. But these unlucky
huts must at times happen to all men.
' General Mina, on receiving the order of the Govern-
ment to deliver up the command of his troops to the
Captain-General of Aragon, Palafox, has refused to obey,
and is at present in open rebelhon. He has, however.
TRIUMPHANT ROYAL ROUTE. 243
few followers : most of his battalions have come over to
the Captain-General. He still, however, keeps the field
between this and Pampeluna. In the present instance, it
would not be possible for me to take that route to Eng-
land. I trust, however, that a few days will put an end
to his wild enterprise.'
The following account of Ferdinand the Seventh's
return to his kingdom is taken from the often quoted
' Eecollections,' and is confirmed by the letters written at
the period in question.
' Upon the King's return to Spain, I advanced to the
frontier of Aragon to meet him, distributing a sufficient
force of Cavalry to form His Majesty's escort on the road,
and to furnish his guard at night.
' The charge of the King's person, as well as of his
brother Don Carlos, and of his uncle Don Antonio, was
made over to me on the frontier of Aragon, by General
Copons, then commanding in Catalonia. My reception by
His Majesty and the Eoyal family was infinitely gracious
and most flattering. Our marches were twenty or thirty
miles a day. The coach or rather landau in which H.M.
travelled was English built. The roads were tolerably
good, and the royal party suffered little or no fatigue. I
rode always at the side of the carriage, and we generally
arrived at our resting-place between three and four in the
afternoon, having started at about half-past nine. I always
dined with the King during the march, and the whole
route was one continued scene of triumph. I never saw
such a wild expression of joy as the Spanish people uni-
versally gave way to on the return of their King from
his infamous- captivity. His Majesty, during the journey,
was constantly occupied in studying the Constitution which
he was required to swear to.
' As I rode close to the side of his carriage, he often
entered into conversation with me. One day he said,
R 2
244 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
" Santiago, you will hardly imagine what book I am
reading. It is the new Spanish Constitution, formed and
published by the Cortes during my absence. I find much
that is good in it, but also many things quite inadmissible.
Notwithstanding, if the refusal of my sanction is to cost
one drop of Spanish blood, I will swear to it to-morrow." ^
' Such were then the sentiments of Ferdinand. His
Majesty remained three days at Saragossa, and did me the
honour to inspect the two thousand cavalry and sixteen
pieces of artillery, at my head-quarters. I commanded
the field-day. We manoeuvred in two lines : and I did
everything in my power to give it the appearance of a real
action. The King was quite enchanted, and thanked me
most warmly for all the services that I had rendered him
during his absence.
' On arriving at the frontier of Aragon, I dismounted,
and requested His Majesty's orders, previously to making
over the charge of his royal person to General Elio, who
commanded in Valencia. " I desire," said His Majesty to
me, " that you accompany me to Valencia. I am much
pleased with you, and you must come on with me."
' At Valencia, the plot began to thicken, [General]
Elio was a violent ultra-royalist ; and was too well sup-
ported by a host of fanatical priests and grandees ; and
hence the first false impressions were made on the King's
mind.
' General Zayas was sent to sound me : for the Gene-
ral commanding so large a body of cavalry and horse-
artillery was too important a person to be neglected at
such a crisis. " If," said I to Zayas, " you are sent by
order of His Majesty to obtain my real opinion upon the
present state of affairs, I shall be happy to submit them
frankly and fully, for I conceive the measures now to be
* Lo jurar^ manana. — In the ' Hecolledtons^ all the royal speeches and his
own answers are given in the original Spanish, followed by the English
translations.
MARCH OX MADEID. 245
adopted of infinite importance to the well-being of His
Majesty and of the Spanish Nation.
' " In my opinion, there is much that is good in the
new Constitution ; but as there is also much which re-
quires to be modified, it is not in His Majesty's power to
swear to it in its present form ; especially, on account of
the article which requires His Majesty to swear that no
change, alteration, or modification shall take place for
eight years.
' " Still, however, it must be kept in mind, that the
Cortes have rendered the royal cause good service ; and
that they deserve the gratitude of the King and of the
Spanish Nation. On his arrival at Madrid, I humbly
conceive, His Majesty should in person thank the Cortes
for all their good services, and express his intention to
invoke the ancient Cortes of Spain, for their opinion
and advice ; and having thus announced his royal will,
that His Majesty should forthwith dissolve the present
Cortes."
' It would seem that my opinions were not approved
of; for, the next day, I received orders to return to
Saragossa, with the escort which I had furnished for the
King's guard, and there to await further orders.
' In the meantime, orders were despatched to Gene-
ral Eguia, at Madrid, to arrest a number of the leading
members of the liberal party ; and the charge of the
King's person was made over to General Elio.
' A few days after my arrival at Saragossa, I received
orders to march upon Madrid with the cavalry and
horse-artillery under my orders. On my arrival at
Guadalaxara, I was directed to halt until further orders ;
and I did not enter the capital till the morning of the
King's entrance ; and then only to line the streets in
parade order. The arrests had all taken place several
days before.
' Nothing can give a true picture of the enthusiastic
246 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
joy manifested by the people of Madrid, on seeing their
beloved sovereign once again amongst them. A young
and handsome manola came close to the head of my
charger, and shouted with a most audible voice, "May'st
thou be blessed, Ferdinand of my soul ; Thou shalt be an
absolute King, and thou shalt always do whatever may
be thy royal pleasure ; and if it be thy will to tread us
under thy royal feet, thy will and pleasure shall be our
only law ! "
' This anecdote brings to my mind a circumstance,
which occurred during my march from Saragossa to the
frontier of Aragon, to meet the King. I had received
my billet in the house of a most respectable yeoman, and
after supper, he stated his utter incapacity to comprehend
the meaning of the doubts and difficulties which seemed
to be generally felt. " Whilst the master was absent,"
said he, " I understand very well that his head servants*
must act in his name ; but now that the master has
returned home, what have the servants to do but to obey
his orders ? "
•As soon as the King had entered the palace [at
Madrid], the troops were dismissed ; and I retired to my
lodgings. A few days afterwards, I had the honour of
giving His Majesty a field-day of the cavalry and horse-
artillery, which so highly pleased him that he made me a
Lieutenant-General on the field. f
' My favour at court was every day increasing ; and
I had it in my power to be of service to Sir Henry
Wellesley, as he has been pleased to state in his letter to
Lord Castlereagh. But TatischefF, the Eussian Minister,
was too cunning for the straightforward dealing of
English diplomatists ; and he obtained from Ferdinand
* * Los criados de confianza.'
t From the correspondence of the period it would appear that King Fer-
dinand only took that graceful occasion to announce the reward already
intended for his services.
OFFERED THE MINISTRY OF WAR. 247
the Toison d'or^ which had been refused to Sir Henry
Wellesley.
' At this time I spent almost every evening, from eight
till ten, in the King's private apartment. The Queen
often joined us ; and conversation was as free and as
general as could have been the case in the house of any
private gentleman. His Majesty never took offence at
anything that I said. " I cannot comprehend," said I
to him one evening, " the interest which your Majesty
takes in the affairs of Eussia ! Your respective coun-
tries are placed in the opposite extremes of Europe ;
and they have not, nor ever can have, any community of
interests. On the other hand, England offers to your
Majesty her most advantageous friendship, which you
appear to despise." "What an excellent Englishman
thou art, Santiago ! " said the King ; " would to God all
my subjects were as good Spaniards ! "
' Some time afterwards,* His Majesty proposed to
make me his Minister of War. I submitted the proposal
to Sir Henry Wellesley ; and he referred it to Lord
Castlereagh, who declared its acceptance to be in-
compatible with the duties of a British officer ; and
particularly with those of an aide-de-camp of the King
of England.
' Shortly after this, I announced to the King my inten-
tion of returning to England. His Majesty and the In-
fante Don Antonio were full of expressions of grief at
my departure ; and the King was pleased to say,
" Santiago, tell me what you wish, and on condition that
you do not leave me, there is nothing in my power that
I will not do to please you."f But the day of con-
fidence was passed ; and I could not make up my mind
* This may mean any time between 1815 and 1819 that he passed in
Madrid.
t " Santiago, dime lo que deseas, y con tal que no te vayas y te quedes
en mi servicio, no hay cosa en mi poder que no hare por complacerte."
248 MEMOIR OF SiPt S. l\ WHITOXGHAM.
to give up friends and country, on so unstable a base
as the caprice of a weak mind. I pledged myself, how-
ever, to return to Spain, should His Majesty call for my
services.'
They were destined to meet again ; but the history of
that reunion must be deferred for a time, and form part
of the following Chapter.
249
CHAPTER XII.
1815—1819.
SIR JOHN Murray's trial — sentence op admonishment not car-
ried OUT— AN ABSURD PARLIAMENTARY CALUMNY — A DUEL PREVENTED
BY THE SPEAKER— QUARREL ADJUSTED— COLONEL CAMPBELL's LETTER
FROM MADRID— HIS DESCRIPTION OP THE ANGLO-SPANISH OFPICERS —
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM'S APPOINTMENT IN THE SPANISH ARMY —
PAILED TO OBTAIN EMPLOY WITH BRITISH TROOPS — WANT OF RANK IN
THE BRITISH ARMY — THE SECRET DISPATCH — ARISTOCRATIC NATURE
OP WELLINGTON — COMMISSIONERSHIP WITH AUSTRIAN ARMY DECLINED
THE SPANISH . OPFER PREFERRED — GEORGE IV.'s AIDE-DE-CAMPSHIP
NO SINECURE — DUKE OF YORK'S LETTER TO SIR HENRY WELLESLEY —
DISAPPOINTING PEACE — GRAND CROSS OF SAN FERNANDO— STATE OF
FINANCES IN SPAIN— GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's MEMOIR TO THE KING
ON THE SLAVE TRADE — WHY UNEMPLOYED AT MADRID — ROYAL FAVOUR
— RUSSIAN INFLUENCE — MR. B. FRERe's ENGAGEMENT — AN EXPENSIVE
HONOUR FOR LADY WHITTINGHAM DECLINED— LEGITIMATELY EXERCISED
INFLUENCE— EXPLANATION OF HIS CONDUCT TO LORD* CASTLEREAGH —
DECLINES ALL REWARDS — THE ONLY FAVOUR ASKED OF THE KING —
GOVERNMENT DECLINED — SERVICES UNREWARDED — STARVATION IN THE
MIDST OF HONOURS — MR. VAUGHAN'S RECOMMENDATION OF THE
GENERAL — HIS DIPLOMATIC SERVICES TO MR. VAUGHAN — DIPLOMATIC
SERVICES TO SIR HENRY WELLESLEY — COMMERCIAL SERVICES TO HIS
BROTHER-IN-LAW — INTRODUCES HIS NEPHEW TO THE BEST SOCIETY —
MARRIAGE OF MR. B. FRERE BY PROXY'^ — SIR H. WELLESLEY's LETTER
TO THE DUKE OF YORK — THE ROYAL REPLY — PLENTY OP PRAISE, NO
REWARDS — TROUBLES IN SPAIN — DEFENCE OF THE KING A POINT OF
HONOUR — DECLINE OF ENGLISH AND RISE OF RUSSIAN* INFLUENCE —
SECRET NEGOCIATIONS BY THE RUSSIAN MINISTER — DEATH OF MRS. B.
PRERE — GENERAL WHITTINGHAM LEAVES MADRID — HIS SUCCESS AGAINST
THE SLAVE TRADE — CHAMOIS-HUNTING IN THE PYRENEES — OFFERED
THE GOVERNMENT OF DOMINICA — BIDS FAREWELL TO THE KING OF
SPAIN — AN ATTENTIVE ROYAL HOST — OPINION APPLAUDED BUT NOT
FOLLOWED — THE AMBASSADOR'S PINAL TESTIMONY — NOTHING ASK, NO-
THING HAVE — GENERAL WHITTINGHAM 's LETTER TO MR. MURDOCH —
FRUITLESS MISSION OF THE COUNT DE CORRES — LORD CASTLEREAGH's
TESTIMONY OF MR. DAVIS — BARON HUGEL's DESCRIPTION OF THE
WEST INDIES.
250 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
At the commencement of 1815, Colonel Whittingliam for
the second time in his life had to perform the disagreeable
duty of giving evidence on the court-martial of a Com-
mander under whom he had served. But in the case of
Sir John Murray, Baronet, his task was light compared to
what it had been on the trial of General Whitelocke in
1808.
Lieut. -General Sir John Murray was tried by a court-
martial that sat in London from the 16th January to the
7th February. He was tried (for his conduct in June
1813) on three charges ; the first implying imprudence
in his plans ; and the second, disobedience of orders.
But of both these charges he was fully and honourably
acquitted. The third and last charge was for his hasty
embarkation after raising the siege of Tarragona, although
no enemy was near ; whereby he unnecessarily lost guns
and stores. He was found guilty of ' an error of judg-
ment ' * in regard to these losses, as specified in a part of
the last charge ; and he was sentenced to be admonished.
But the Prince Eegent thought it needless to admonish
for an error of judgment, and the result was a virtual
acquittal.
Soon after this trial. General Whittingham, (for so he
was styled on this occasion) became the object of a par-
liamentary calumny, which might be termed atrocious,
had it not been too ridiculous to merit so strong a de-
nunciation ; and he sent to his friend. Sir Henry Torrens,
a Bristol newspaper, giving an account of an exciting
scene in the House of Commons, in fuller details than
were inserted in the London press.
It is needless to reproduce the details of this calumny.
It is sufficient to say that Mr. Whitbread in fact argued
as if General Whittingham f were responsible for all the
* His errors in judgment were numerous, but Lord Wellington acknow-
ledged his abilities, and be was otherwise a worthy man.
t As his services for the greater part of the war had been per-
AN ABSURD PARLIAMENTARY .CALUMNY. 251
pecuniary assistance which the English Ambassador^ and
the English Commander-in-Chief had ^ with the consent of
the English Government^ given to their Spanish allies!
But not satisfied with this absurdity, he was not ashamed,
in the hope of shaking a ministry, to accuse an Enghsh
officer of distinction of having received more than 50,000/.
as a bribe to place Ferdinand VII. on a despotic throne ;
the fact being that the accused officer had lately returned
to England a far poorer man than when he had left it ;
having spent a considerable part of his private patrimony
on his commissions and in the public service ! But the
waves of party spirit then ran mountains high ; and even
the great Duke himself did not escape their fury ; as he
has recorded in his immortal ' Dispatches.'
Mr. Hart Davis, member for Bristol, the affectionate
brother-in-law of the calumniated General, a man of high
character, naturally retorted with spirit on the privileged
calumniator, and a duel appeared imminent. The affair
is thus recorded by the Bristol journal. [After Mr.
Whitbread's motion had been made and rejected.] ' The
House had proceeded to the order of the day, when the
gentlemen above named retired. The speaker felt it to
be his duty on the instant, to call the attention of the
House to the conduct of two of its members, and to re-
quire that the individuals to whom he referred should be
immediately called back, to give the House their assur-
ances that no further proceedings should take place in
consequence of what had fallen from them in the course
of debate.' [The members were brought back, and the
gallery was cleared], 'Strangers were not again ad-
mitted, but we understand the Hon. Gentlemen readily
gave the assurances required, and the business was in a
few minutes satisfactorily adjusted.' The Bristol paper
which had warmly taken the part ' of our gallant towns-
man, General Whittingham,' ends its article by stating :
formed in the rank of General it was natural he should be so called in
Parliament.
252 MEMOIR .OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' General Whittingham is at this time at the house of Mr.
Davis at Chfton ; ' one of the brief and rare visits, that he
paid to his native country.
Whilst he was thus calumniated in England, in Spain on
the contrary — let it be said in justice to the Spaniards — his
merits were still appreciated.
The following letter was written by an excellent officer
and brave man, who was also a most estimable gentleman
in private life : —
Colonel * Patrick Campbell to General Whittingham.
(Extract.)
'Madkid, 2^th March, 1815.
' Whatever faihngs or vices I may have, ingratitude is
not amongst them : and truly ungrateful should I be, were
I to forget one to whom I owe so very much, and who
has shown me so many acts of friendship. Most heartily
do I rejoice at the very handsome reception you have re-
ceived from the Prince Eegent. I would to God that you
were here again. A.f at present is the only countryman
of ours at this moment in the peninsula, who has any
reputation. B. and C. are only spoken of in derision. D.
is never mentioned at all. You, however, are always
mentioned both with respect for talents, and instruction,
and [with] enthusiasm for your gallantry. An army of
8,000 men is ordered to be formed on the frontier, in
consequence of the escape of Buonaparte. Who is to
command is yet a secret. Castanos has offered his ser-
vices ; and some say he is to command. Others say, the
Infante Don Carlos is to go there : but the present de-
ranged state of the finances will not bear that additional
expense.
' My business of Brigadier is not yet decided. Sir
* He was then Major in the British, and Colonel in the Spanish, service,
t A. B. C. D. These letters are used to conceal real names.
COLONEL Campbell's letter from Madrid. 253
Henry [Wellesley] however, has done whatever he could ;
and in consequence Ceballos wrote to Eguia. But he is
such an enemy to everything English, that he tries all he
can to delay it. I have got the supernumerary cross of
Charles III. I do not think old Herasti will ever go to
Barcelona. I would you were here, as that is the best
Government in Spain ; and, as you know, if one is not on
the spot nothing is obtained. I wish much you would
speak to Sir Henry Torrens for the rank of Lieut. -Colonel
[for me]. You were my Commander-in-Chief; and con-
sequently, the only one who can recommend me. It is
the step of the greatest importance to me. How does
Mrs. Whittingham like England? What an infamous,
shameful, and lying attack Whitbread has made ! I saw
it here in the English papers. He talks of 52,000/. as
given to you for your own purposes ; and you above all
men ; who^ it may he said, never even saw the public
7noney, much less handled it.^ I wish you could tell me,
how we serving here are to be considered, particularly
Don Patricio Campbell, as I am much interested about
him, Castaiios and Zayas are well, Giron is in Seville,
Serrano is in Badajos.'
Colonel Patrick Campbell was in Spain usually styled
' Don Patricio Campbell ' to which he playfully alludes.
As Lieutenant-Colonel of the Light Infantry Eegiment of
the Majorca division, as well as on the Staff of General
Whittingham, he had always distinguished himself greatly
by zeal, intelligence and courage, and, as usual with all
who served under the General, was devotedly and per-
manently attached to his Chief.
Meantime the escape of the great Napoleon had again
aroused to arms the greater part of Europe ; and reopened
prospects of fresh, distinction to all soldiers : —
* General Whittingham had had the responsibility, had negotiated the
bills, and conducted the correspondence ; but until Paymaster Foley was
appointed, Colonel Campbell performed the actual payments required.
254 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
To Major- General Sir Henry Torrens.
< LoNDOi^, 2^th May, 1815.
'Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that I re-
ceived by last mail my appointment of Lieutenant-General
employed in the army of Catalonia under the orders of
General Castanos. I have therefore to request you will
be pleased to submit this appointment to the considera-
tion of H.E.H. the Commander-in-Chief ; and at the same
time that you will express my hope that H.E.H. will
condescend to allow me to proceed to Spain immediately.
' Having failed in my solicitations for employment in
Flanders ^^ I am anxious to join the army in Catalonia
with as little delay as possible ; and as my appointment
there has taken place, I cannot, I conceive, use too much
expedition in getting to my post. I have the honour
to be. Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
' Samford Whittingham.'
This letter establishes the fact, that he had previously
desired rather to serve under Wellington as a Colonel,
than with the Spaniards as a Lieutenant-General. Had
his request been granted, he would doubtless have justi-
fied himself to the King of Spain, under the sound plea
that there was no danger to be immediately apprehended
in Spain from j^apoleon, as was well-known to be the
case.
The word solicitations being in the plural, there rests
a strong suspicion in the Editor's mind, that Colonel
Whittingham, not only applied direct to the Duke of
Wellington, but did so also through His Eoyal Highness
* Till perusing the words now placed in Italics, the Editor was wholly
unaware of the fact of such applications. No doubt their refusal had been
too sore a subject to mention^ in spite of the flattering terms in which they
had been couched.
FAILS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN BRITISH ARMY. 255
the Duke of Kent. In short the Editor has soijie reason
to believe that the letter of the Duke of Wellington
dated 'Bruxelles, 14th April, 1815,' and addressed to
Her Majesty's- illustrious father, refers to Colonel Whit-
tingham. Colonel Gurwood having unfortunately left
this name in blank, and none of the original appli-
cations having reached the Editor's hands, the matter
must remain for the present doubtful. To desire eagerly
to serve under the Duke of Wellington was sufficiently
praiseworthy to have justified Gurwood in printing the
name of the rejected applicant, especially as the rejection
was coupled with the flattering words ; ' he knows that
if I could have gratified him I would have done so,
without the aid of your Eoyal Highness's powerful
influence.'*
There can be no question, however, that besides merit,
some high aristocratic connection was required at that
moment, to obtain a place on the Staff*, then ambitioned
by hundreds of meritorious officers. It was no disgrace
to fail in such an application, but ratlier a high honour
when accompanied by an observation, which so plainly
and strongly imphed that no want of merit occasioned
the writer's non-compliance with the request. If a list
were made of all those who served on the great Duke's
staff* throughout his life, it w^ould be found that birth or
rank had ever the strongest claims on his favour ; and
that the kind of liberality which was so frequently dis-
played by kings and royal dukes, was never one of the
traits of the essentially aristocratic as well as illustrious
Duke of Welhngton.
It appears, however, that though to serve under the
Duke, Sir Samford would have retired from the Spanish
service, this was before his services had been called for
by the Spanish King. For he declined (subsequently)
* Vol. xii. of Wellington Dispatches, page 308, edition 1838.
256 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGITAM.
the offer, of the post of British Commissioner to the
Austrian army, when offered to him by Lord Castlereagh.
Now that he was once more going to serve in Spain, he
became again a General even at the Horse-Guards. He
had also been made C.B. and knighted.*
To Lieutenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham.
'HoKSE-GuAEDS, '2nd June, 1815.
' Sir, — I have not failed to lay before the Commander-
in-Chief your letter of the 28th ultimo, communicating
to me, for His Eoyal Highness's information that you had
received your appointment of Lieutenant-General em-
ployed in the army under General Castaiios ; and re-
questing permission to proceed to Spain to join the
same in Catalonia.
'I have His Eoyal Highness's commands to acquaint
you that as circumstances do not admit of your talents
and experience being rendered available to the services of
the British army itself, in a manner adequate to your
claims and pretensions, he can have no objection to your
being employed in the general cause, by assuming the
duties in the Spanish army to which you have been
called in so flattering a manner by His Catholic Majesty.
I am therefore charged by the Commander-in-Chief to
apprize you, that you have the Prince Eegent's leave of
absence to proceed to Spain without delay ; and likew^ise
His Eoyal Highness's special permission to absent yourself
for the same purpose from your situation in the house-
hold. I have the honour to be, Sir,
' Your most faithful and obedient humble servant,
' H. TOEEENS.'
* Lieutenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham.'
The reference at the close of this letter, to the duties of
aide-de-camp to the Prince Eegent, gives occasion to state
* At that time no one could be made K.C.B. under the rank of Major-
General ; but distinguished officers, who had earned the C.B. were sometimes
kniffhted.
THE SPANISH 0FFP:R PREFERRED. 257
that in this capacity Colonel Whittingham appears to have
been very successful. It is to be regretted that he did
not write of George IV., similar recollections to those he
has left of Ferdinand VII. The Enghsli monarch, there
is reason to believe, treated him with scarcely less kind-
ness tlmn did the Spanish sovereign : — and he used when
on duty, to be called into the royal private apartment,
to be consulted as to the equipment and clothing of the
cavalry. At the levees also, owing to their rarity, and
consequent crowding, the post of Eoyal aide-de-camp
would appear to have been no sinecure at that period ;
and physical strength was quite as needful a qualification
as courtly manners and bearing. At the royal drawing-
rooms especially the crush was tremendous. There also
the King alone receiving the ladies, it sometimes happened
when some bashful young persons were to receive the
royal lip salute^ that they required to be almost forcibly
propelled up to the dreaded spot.
We revert to the ' Eecollections ' : —
' Not long after my return to England, Napoleon re-
seated himself on the throne of France ; and a general
war was the consequence. I received a letter from
[Count] Montenegro, written by order of the King of
Spain, desiring me to return immediately to take the com-
mand of the cavalry, under General Castaiios,* who had
been appointed Commander-in-Chief. I accepted the
offer, and was preparing for my departiu'e, when Lord
Castle reagh sent for me to inform me, that he purposed
sending me as British commissioner, with rank and pay of
Brigadier-General, and 1000/. per annum extra allowance,
to the head-quarters of the Austrian army, about to ad-
vance upon Lyons.
' I stated to him the position in which I stood to the
King of Spain, should His Majesty call for my services.
* His old patron and friend had been created Duke of Baylen, in honour
of the first victory gained over the French in the Peninsular war.
S
258 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
His Lordship gave it as his opinion, that under all the
circumstances, he thought I was bound in honour to
return to Spain.'
General Whittingham took with him on his return to
Spain, for which he embarked from Falmouth, with
part of his family on the 30th June, the following letter,
for the English Ambassador : —
The Duke of York to Sir Henry Wellesley.
' Horse-Gtjards, 14th Jmw, 1815.
'Sir, — Colonel Sir Samford Whittingham having been
called to a command in the Spanish army according to
his rank of Lieutenant- General in the service of His
Catholic Majesty, I have to acquaint you that the Prince
Eegent has been graciously pleased to approve his ac-
ceptance of the same : and I cannot permit this deserving
and distinguished officer to take his departure from this
country without making him the bearer of my desire
that you will be pleased in your diplomatic as well as in
your private character, to show him all the countenance
and attention which a British officer in a foreign army
may frequently require from a person in your high
position.
' It may be necessary to add, that a sense of Sir Samford
Whittingham's merits would have made me desirous of
affording him employment in the British army now in
the field ; and it has only been in the impracticability of
making an arrangement suitable to his pretensions, that
I have been induced to facilitate the permission he has
received to serve in the Spanish army.*
' I have, &c.
' Frederick.
* Commander-in-Chief.'
* Being only Colonel in the English army, he was not eligible to a high
command with the troops of his own country, by the then inexorable laws
LETTER TO SIR II. TORRENS. 259
His return to the Peninsula is thus described in his
' Eecollections : ' ' On my arrival in Spain I found the
war at an end ; for the battle of Waterloo had taken
place, and I had not only lost the opportunity of being
present at that memorable action, but I had also deprived
myself of the advantage of forming part of the army of
occupation commanded by the Duke of Wellington, whose
field-days at the head of the principal armies of Europe
formed the best school for grand military operations.'
He here alludes to his rejection of Lord Castlereagh's
offers, which, however, was under the circumstances un-
avoidable.
To Sir Henry Torrens.
(Extract.)
' Madrid, 8^A August, 1815.
' 111 health and bad spirits have made me delay writing
to you till I am almost ashamed to take up the pen. It
appears to me very doubtful whether I shall go to Cata-
lonia or not. The minister of war, Ballasteros, has recom-
mended me to wait for General Castanos's answer.
'It has been determined* that the division of Majorca,
which I had the honour to command during the late
war, and which consisted of eight battalions of infantry,
two regiments of cavalry, and two troops of horse-artil-
lery, formed a separate corps d'armee^ and that the cross
which I received as General of Division, should have been
the grand cross of [a commander of] a corps d'armee.
In consequence I have received the grand cross, and
kissed the King's hand upon this new honour.f Now,
of routine, though he had for so many years commanded in the field as a
general officer to the full satisfaction of the Duke of Wellington.
* That is, decided by the Spanish Government.
f The London Gazette of the 28th November, 1815, sanctions the wearing
of this order 'with which His Catholic Majesty has been pleased to honour
him, as a signal testimony of His Catholic Majesty's approbation of the
distinguished services rendered by that officer on the field of battle, during
the Peninsular war.'
s 2
260 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
in the true spirit of cliivalry, I pray you to lay the grand
cross at the feet of Lady Torrens, and to assure her that
all my knightly services are at her command.
' I assure you, we often talk of our trip to Cheltenham ;
and look back with delight upon the gaiety and constant
good humour of our quartetto ! Alas ! what a contrast
did our journey from Corufia to Madrid form. Galicia,
naturally poor and wretched and now desolate by the late
war, is miserable beyond expression. Nor is it possible
that anyone could form an idea of want and woe equal to
what you meet with from Corufia to Madrid.
' The state of the finances is so very shocking that I
can only convey to you an idea of it by saying that
many, very many, meritorious officers would ere this have
perished from absolute want had they not received their
daily food, and even a room to sleep in, from the charity
of the convents ! How long this can last, God only knows.
In any other country in Europe it could not have subsisted
so long ; but even here the discontent, particularly of the
army, is great, and sooner or later evil must arise.
' This is a sad picture, my dear Torrens, and would
to God it were not so very true ; still resources might
be found ; but the good and amiable Ferdinand is sur-
rounded by men of little, miserable minds, incapable of
doing good, but very well disposed to do evil.'
To his brother-in-law, he had written, on the 7th August,
a long letter to the same effect, adding that he received
no Spanish pay as Lieutenant-General owing to the state
of the finances.
The great afiability of the King, and his flattering par-
tiality for Sir Samford Whittingham, inclined the latter,
for some time, to regard his weaknesses with indulgence,
and to throw the blame of his conduct upon his Ministers.
Indeed Ferdinand does not appear to have been a man of
bad natural disposition, and he was certainly very amiable
PAPER ON THE SLAVE TRADE. 261
in private life. But his narrow and bigoted education
and liis want of discernment, incapacitated him from being
a good ruler, and his reign was mainly tolerated on ac-
count of his personal popularity amongst the mass of his
subjects, especially the lower orders. This feeling the
King appears to have cultivated in a manner resembling
that of our Charles II. ; minus, however, the immorality,
for His Majesty was a very good husband. Sir Samford
used to relate how Ferdinand, when handing his beautiful
Queen Christina into the royal carriage, would turn round
smilingly on the loyal crowd, and observe familiarly to
them, ' Is site not a fine woman V or some similar remark.
By desire of the King of Spain, General Whittingham
wrote a long Spanish paper on the reasons that should
induce his Majesty to abolish the Slave Trade. This
request was the result of a conversation with his Majesty,
for Sir Samford now felt it his duty to use what influence
he had with the King, in favour of civilization and good
government, reluctant though he was as a thorough
soldier to embark in matters which savoured of political
intrigues. But ample proofs exist of the noble and patri-
otic manner in which he exercised his influence with the
Spanish King, and especially in the letters of His Britannic
Majesty's representatives at Madrid.
Meantime, as the war was over and his active services
were no longer required for the safety of the country, the
jealousy regarding the employment of an Englishman,
(who as such could not but be too partial to liberty in
royal eyes,) in a high military command, coupled with
the intrigues of courtiers in Spain and the calumnies pro-
pagated at home, all combined to deter General Whitting-
ham from either seeking for, or obtaining, a high com-
mand. If, indeed, he would have consented to abandon
his own service, (in which, for want of military rank, he
could expect for many years only a very subordinate posi-
tion) there is every reason to believe that a fine career
262 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
was before liim ; but to this idea lie never could resign
himself, though sometimes tempted to it by natural am-
bition of distinction, and by the laudable desire of com-
manding armies for which he felt himself fully capable.
His voluminous correspondence from 1815 to 1820
shows but too clearly how his active mind revolted from
the compulsory idleness, in a military point of view, to
which he was at this period condemned by uncontrollable
circumstances, however useful he frequently was to the
embassy at Madrid. Brief extracts of his correspondence
are all that can be laid before the reader.
The following relates to his claims for a small pension
from the British Government, afterwards granted to him
on the same terms as other officers similarly situated.
He had now no salary except his half-pay as a British
Lieutenant-Colonel, and was involved in difficulties.
To his Brother-in-law,
' Madrid, 15th Septembei'^ 1815.
' I was, as you know, employed by Mr. Pitt on a secret
mission to Portugal. My expenses were, as you also know,
very great ; but notwithstanding Mr. Pitt's generous offers
of remuneration upon my return to England, I declined
receiving any reimbursement of my expenses, and felt
happy at being able to render what was then thought
a good service, without the possibility of having my mo-
tives misinterpreted.
' In the Spanish service, I never received any pay as
Colonel, Brigadier, or Major-General, till I was appointed
to the command of the cavalry in the Island of Leon, and
the scale of my expenses in consequence unavoidably in-
creased.
'Would to God I could follow the same system at
present! but the diminution of my private fortune by
unavoidable expenses, and the increase of my family,
ENDEAVOUKS TO COUNTERACT RUSSIA. 263
have placed me in a situation, in a pecuniary point of view,
very different from that I have heretofore enjoyed.'
General Whittingham endeavoured to counteract by
his influence with the King the overbearing influence of
the Eussian Ambassador and the Holy -Alliance principles
which the latter warmly advocated. In a letter of the
24th ISTovember, he writes to his brother-in-law : ' I have
been able to render some good service of late.* The
King continues his decided partiality towards me ; I have
frequent interviews and conversations with him. I have
had many opportunities of studying Mr. Vaughan lately ;f
I do not think our affairs could be in better hands.'
But King Ferdinand could not forgive the evident sym-
pathy of England with his revolted colonies, and threw
himself the more readily into the arms of Eussia.
To detail all the circumstances that occurred between
King Ferdinand and General Whittingham during the
time, (nearly four years,) that the latter resided in Madrid,
would swell this work far beyond its intended limits, and
being of a diplomatic and commercial rather than military
nature, forms no necessary part of a military memoir.
But it will be requisite to establish hereafter on incontro-
vertible testimony the fact, that even in matters of diplo-
macy, in which he had no official business, he did good
and recognized though unrewarded service to his own
country.
To his Brother-in-law.
' Madrid, Qth Decemher, 1815.
' Mr. Barthelemy Frere, brother to John Hookham
Frere, went to Constantinople, as Secretary of Embassy to
Mr. Liston. Mr. Listen is now at home, and B. Frere
* He means to the British Embassy.
t This was the ^Minister, Mr. Charles Vaughan, acting as such in the
absence of the Ambassador.
264 MEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
will of course have remained tliere as Minister Plenipo-
tentiary, in the same manner as Vaughan has remained
here, as Minister Plenipotentiary in consequence of the
absence of Sir Henry [Wellesley]. Mr. B. Frere is going
to be married immediately.'*
The year 1816 was a gloomy one in Madrid ; the
King from his despotic and Eussian proclivities becoming
odious to all men of liberal opinions in Spain, and the
recovery of the Spanish American colonies being already
nearly hopeless. Sir Samford Whittingham was now
thankful that he held no responsible post in Spain, and
in spite of his low rank in the English army desired, more
and more, employment under the English Government ;
turning his thoughts meantime to a residence in the south
of France. For he writes to Mr. Davis, (in January 1816)
alluding to his poverty,f ' it is impossible for me to live
in England.'
To the Same.
' Madrid, 6fh March, 1816.
' The state of things does not mend, though a momentary
tranquillity reigns. An attempt has been made to as-
sassinate the King.' [After a long description of the
wretched state of Spain, financial, military and pohtical,
he adds :] — 'I have been appointed to form the chapter
of the military order of San Fernando, with the Duke del
Parque, Palafox, Zayas, Blake, Giron, O'Donnel, Venegas,
and La Pena.
' MagdalenaJ has had the offer of being appointed one
of the ladies of honour to the Queen. But this I have
declined on account of the expense of diamonds necessary,
* To Donna Barbara Creus, sister-in-law to the General.
t It is not superflaous to record sucli a fact in this Memoir, when it is
borne in mind that others similarly situated had undoubtedly enriched them-
selves, and that he had been calumniated. Many people are slow to believe
that when a man can, he 7vill not enrich himself.
t Lady Whittingham.
HIS DIPLOMATIC CONDUCT. 265
and which amounts to about 4,000 dollars. In short
honours and distinctions are crowded upon me, but
honours and distinctions will not pay bills, and the higher
a man rises in society the more he stands in need of an
increase of pecuniary means. This has induced me to
turn my thoughts to a high command in America ; and
the more particularly as the delay in the English brevets
gives me no chance of getting out to India as a Major-
General, till old age will have rendered the voyage un-
advisable.'
On the 7th April, 1816, he defends himself to the same
correspondent from a charge that had reached Lord
Castlereagh of his meddling with the general politics of
Europe ; a charge that appears to have resulted solely
from his private letters not having always been sufficiently
kept secret by his correspondents. On all these matters it
is useless to dilate, for Marquis Wellesley, Mr. Hookham
Frere, Sir Henry Wellesley, and Mr. Charles Vaughan,
were the four ambassadors or ministers from 1808 to
1819, and on their final judgments of him may safely
rest the verdict regarding Sir Samford Whittingham's
diplomatic conduct. His exceptional position in Spain
had made the successive representatives of Majesty thank-
fully use his services when occasion offered, especially
latterly, in his conversations with the King. But the
only political memorandum (besides a letter on the Slave
Tra'de) that he ever gave the King was at the desire of
the latter, and given with the private consent of the
Minister, Mr. Vaughan ; and was only calculated to make
Spain prefer the alliance of England to that of Eussia,
which would have redounded to the eventual benefit both
of England and of Spain. In the same letter he further
requests Mr. Davis to make Lord Castlereagh acquainted
with the following circumstances regarding King Fer-
dinand's return to Spain : —
266 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' It was the conviction of my mind, and of General
Zayas, and of all those I intimately knew, during the
march from Saragossa to Valencia, that the King meant
to swear to the Constitution under such modifications as
might appear necessary ; and His Majesty's proclamation
from Valencia is a convincing proof that we had a right
to form that opinion.
' I did not accompany the King on his march to Madrid.
He was escorted by General Elio and his infantry, by the
high road from Valencia to Madrid. My orders were to
march from Saragossa to Guadalaxara ; and there wait
for further orders.'
The letter then describes the King's triumphant entry
into Madrid, which has been already described in this
work ; * and continues : ' Soon after his arrival at Madrid,
His Majesty sent me a message through the Duke of San
Carlos,f desiring I would ask for any favour I might
desire. I begged the Duke to assure His Majesty tliat I
considered myself amply rewarded for my services during
the war, by the rank of Major-General that had been
conferred on me after the battle of Talavera, and I did
not desire any other recompense. Had I done otherwise,
my conduct in obeying the order to advance with the
cavalry from Saragossa to Guadalaxara might have been
interpreted into a vile speculation for my own personal
advantage, rather than as proceeding from that high sense
of duty and obedience to superiors which should form
the basis of every military character.
'The only favour I ever asked of the King was the
pardon of two artillery soldiers of my division who were
under sentence of death for desertion, not to the enemy,
but to their home ! This was granted.
' The cross of San Fernando was gained by me in the
* See page 245.
t By the fuller detailed letter at page 283, it would appear that it was
the Duke's son, the Count de Corres, who actually delivered this message.
DECLINES ALL REWARDS. 267
field of battle, according to the established rules of the
order ; * and my claim legitimated by a pubUc examin-
ation in the face of all the troops concerned. It was
therefore no favour of the King.
' The rank of Lieutenant-General was conferred upon
me by the King without any application on my part, for
my general services during the war. But the same rank
was also conferred by His Majesty upon upwards of thirty
Major-Generals, all under me in the list.
' I was finally offered one of the best governments in
Spain, which I declined from the motives before alleged,
for 1 have always been of opinion that it is not sufficient
to be satisfied entirely with the motives of our conduct.
It is necessary that there should be no possibility of doubt
as to the purity of the motives by ivhich we are actuated.' f
Thus did his rash English calumniators not only deprive
him of the legitimate rewards of his services after the
Peninsular war, but also force him into a spirit of self
assertion foreign to the natural modesty of his nature,
which led him to trust to his superiors for the record of
his merits and services. Nor was it a vain trust. For
rarely has an officer, not sprung from the aristocracy,
enjoyed such numerous and striking acknowledgments
of his merits and services, as fell to the lot of General
Whittingham before the close of his career.
Meantime he no longer even desired a military com-
mand in Spain, because no person was paid in Spain his
nominal salary, so that the only effect of such appoint-
ment would be to increase his already too great expenses.
On tlie 7th October, 1816, he writes : ' In my situation,
with the high rank I hold in this country, it is morally
impossible for me to reduce my expenses more than I
* By the votes of officers and men under hivS command.
t Such sentiments do not facilitate the attainment of wealth and success,
but they are the characteristics of a nobility of nature which forms the
truest aristocracy.
268 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
have done. Once only in the year and a half I have been
here^ have I asked a friend to dine with me'
Only those who have known Sir Samford Whittingham's
habits of profuse though refined hospitahty, can feel the
true force of these words.
The letter thus continues : ' Thus you see, my dear
Davis, that I am exposed to starvation in the midst of
honours and distinctions, and I see no road to salvation
except through the East Indies. Barbara [Creus] is now
with us, and I am only waiting for the pope's licence
to celebrate her marriage [by proxy] with Mr. B. Frere,
British Minister at Constantinople. I have Mr. Frere's
full powers to effect the marriage.'
In November 1816, an unfounded report of the pro-
bable retirement of the Governor of Trinidad, induced
General Whittingham to apply through H. M.'s minister,
Mr. Yaughan, for the supposed vacancy. There seemed
no disinclination on the part of the British Government
to serve him, had the opportunity really occurred, if the
Editor can judge by the brief notes written by Lords
Liverpool, Castlereagh, and Bathurst, now in his posses-
sion. The letter, however, of Mr. Vaughan alone is here
recorded, placing in italics the parts relating to the
General's (not then sufficiently appreciated in England)
diplomatic services : —
The Right Hon. Charles Vaughan to Viscount
Castlereagh.
' Madrid, 23rc? November^ 1816.
' My Lord, — I have received the enclosed from Lieut.-
General Sir Samford Whittingham, and grateful for the
services I have ever found him anxious to render me^ as
His Majesty's Minister at this Courts I think it my duty
to recommend his present application, to be employed in
the island of Trinidad, to the most favourable attention
of your Lordship.
APPLIES FOR GOVERNORSHIP OF TRINIDAD. 269
' In support of General Whittingham's application, I
can venture to testify to his accurate knowledge of the
language, the customs, and the laws of Spain ; and his
conduct in this country has obtained for him the confi-
dence of His Catholic Majesty, and the respect and esteem
of all classes of Spaniards.
' I have no occasion to refer to the distinguished mili-
tary services of the General, as they have long since been
acknowledged by His Majesty's Government. But I feel
it my duty to recommend him to your Lordship, in ac-
knowledgment for the services which he has rendered to me
as His Majesty's Minister^ through the confidential inter-
course he enjoyed with the King of Spain, and which has
enabled me to coinmunicate to this Court opinions by which
I have thought it of consequence that the Spanish Govern-
ment should be influenced*
' On these grounds I trust that your Lordship will par-
don the liberty I have taken, in recommending General
Whittingham for the employment he solicits.
' I am, &c., &c.,
' Charles Vaughan.'
On the 14th January, 1817, Sir Samford writes :
' Nothing can exceed the King's attention to me, nor the
confidence he shows me. But as I have before said, I
am fiilly of opinion that in order to ask for any high
employment here, I must leave the service of my own
country — a step I can never make up my mind to take.
So that I am exactly in the situation of the man who
seated himself between two stools, and thus came to the
ground.'
In the same letter Sir Samford writes : ' I have lately
* On the 12th Dec"". 1816 Mr. Davis writes, from London, to Mrs. Har-
ford : ' Your uncle has "been the happy instrument of settling the question
of the Slave Trade. This is a secret, and I learnt it by accident, not from
himself. Mr. Vaughan states that it is wholly owing to your imcle's per-
sonal influence with the King.' — Mr. Davis gives the details and adds :
^ These terms are beyond the expectation of our Ministers here.'
270 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
had it in my power to be of some service to Sir Henry
Wellesley, and he seems disposed to do anything in his
power to serve me/ He adds his intention, if he fails to
obtain employment from the British Government, to retire
to ' some small town in France, where I shall always be
able to live perfectly well on my small income. I think,
however, it is best giving things a fair chance to wait at
this Court eight or ten months longer, particularly as I
am in hopes that Sir Henry will not find my services
altogether useless.'
On the 3rd February, 1817, was born his third surviving
son, to whom Don Antonio the King's uncle stood god-
father. Sir Samford's influence was not only great with
the King and the Eoyal Family, but extended to many
of the first Spanish nobility, such as the Dukes of Frias,
Infantado, Osuna, &c. With some of these he arranged
wool-importing business for his brother's mercantile house
in Bristol. Thus he writes on the 27th February, 1817 :
' I am also endeavouring to persuade the Duke of Infan-
tado, to send you his pile [of wool] for the future. He
does not seem very well satisfied with his correspondents
in Bristol, but unfortunately he has taken it into his head
that by sending [his wool] for some time to London he
shall obtain better prices.'
'It has appeared to me that you would not disapprove
of my introducing into the best society of this town,
inasmuch as that by no means militates against his atten-
tion to business. I have therefore taken him to the
Eussian Minister's, to the Duchess of Osuna, to the Duchess
of Frias ; and on Sunday next I shall take him to Pizarro's,
the Minister for Foreign Affairs. To Sir Henry's Satur-
day evening parties he also goes with me.'
In a letter dated 'Madrid, 18th March, 1817,' he
writes : — ' begins his riding lessons this evening.
The Duke of Alagon, commander of the King's Body-
Guard, has ordered the director of his manege to pay
MAREIAGE OF MR. B. FRERE BY PROXY. 271
him every attention, and to employ every means in his
power to make him a complete horseman. * goes
on in every respect most charmingly. Miss Creus was
married some days ago, by proxy, to Mr. Barthelemy
Frere.'
Sir Samford now (no Colonial government being forth-
coming) resolved again to ask the Duke of York for
employment, in spite of the difficulties about his want of
rank ; and having conversed with Sir Henry Wellesley
(who had returned to his post) on the subject, he was
enabled to transmit to the Duke of York, through his
brother-in-law, the following satisfactory letter: —
Sir Henry Wellesley to the Duke of York.
' Madkid, ^rd April, 1817.
' Sir, — Understanding it to be the wish of Sir Samford
Whittingham to obtain active employment in His Majesty's
service, and your Eoyal Highness having been pleased in
a letter to me, under date the 14th June, 1815, to express
your approbation of his general conduct, I venture to take
the liberty of recommending him to the notice of your
Eoyal Highness, as an officer who was not only eminently
distinguished during the war in Spain, but to whom /
feel under great obligations for the assistance which^ since
his return to Madrid^ he has afforded to this Embassy in
its intricate negociations with the Spanish Government.
' I have, &c., &c.,
' Henry Wellesley.'
The Duke of York to R H. Davis, Esq. M.P.
HoKSE-GuARDS, 28M April, 1817.
' Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 26th instant, with its enclosure, and to assure you
* When Mr. , at the termination of his lessons sought to pay for
them, he was informed that all had been done gratis, for the love of his
imcle, General Whittingham.
272 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
that I have had great pleasure in receiving from Sir
Henry Wellesley, so favourable a testimony of Sir Sam-
ford Whittingham's zeal, ability, and assiduous attention
to every duty assigned to him, though nothing was want-
ing to add to the opinion I had previously entertained of
that officer's distinguished conduct.
' I have, &c., &c.,
'Frederick.'
But nothing came of the application at this time. On
both sides of the water plenty of praise from high quar-
ters, hut no rewards. Praise is good, but it cannot feed
a family, and has a satirical aspect when attended with no
practical result. It is however, certain that ' the Soldiers
Friend' was hampered by the difficulty of finding a
Colonel's post suitable to such a deserving officer, and he
might also naturally think that the nature of his latter
services might give him a claim for civil employment
pending his want of British military rank.
Troubles began now to arise in Spain. There was also
a danger of General Whittingham being ordered to South
America, to reconquer the revolted colonies, which com-
mand he must have declined to accept, as incompatible
with the then policy of England. He therefore prepared
to quit Spain ; but signs of a civil war then began to
appear, and his high feeling of honour, and regard for
the King, made him inclined to remain in order to pro-
tect His Majesty. Sir Henry Wellesley, however, recom-
mended his withdrawal, at least for a few months, and he
obeyed.
On the 24th May, whilst staying with his family at
Aranjuez on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of Frias at
their beautiful family seat, he requests his brother-in-law
to consult Lord Castle reagh's wishes, as to his leaving or
remaining in Madrid, in one of the sentences of which his
chivalrous nature asserts itself, scorning to escape a dis-
DECLINE OF ENGLISH INFLUENCE. 273
agreeable duty, by the excuse of ingratitude in the highest
quarter. Speaking of the danger of taking high command
in civil war he writes : ' Personally this does not occupy
me one moment. I only wish it to be clearly understood,
that I cannot wear the King of Spain's uniform^ and aban-
don him in case of need' *
To his Brother-in-law.
Private. ' Madrid, 8th June, 1817.
' Since the return of the King, the English interest at
this Court has been gradually declining, and strange to
say, the Eussian influence as gradually increasing. This
has depended principally upon the personal character of
the King, but has been considerably forwarded by the
intriguing abilities of the Eussian Minister TatischefF. The
King from his infancy has been taught to suspect and
dislike the Enghsh, and these feehngs have been not a
little fomented by the repeated obstacles thrown before
him and his Government by the British papers, and in
the British Parliament. The Emperor [of Eussia] on the
contrary has been constantly occupied in flattering his
vanity, and gaining his good will by numberless presents
both to him and to the Queen. At the present moment,
Tatischeff" reigns despotically at this Court, and his influ-
*ence appears to be almost irresistible. Some time since,
Tatischeff* began a treaty with his Government, by which
Eussia was to interpose all her power in favour of Spain
against Portugal, and Spain was to cede to Eussia, in con-
sequence, the island of Minorca. This treaty was not at
that time approved of by the Emperor, and the whole fell
to the ground. However, the subject has again been
taken in hand, and the intrigues to gain possession of
Minorca, have again been renewed.'
* He could not say ' draw the King's pay/ because he drew none.
T
274 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
The above is a brief fragment of a long letter : — It
proves that the Emperor Alexander, was less of an in-
triguer than his Minister, and more upright in his inten-
tions. At least, this is the impression it now leaves on the
mind of the Editor.*
In the summer of 1817, sickness seized the General
and all his family, and finally ' Mrs. B. Frere was taken ill
of a nervous fever early in July. Water was thrown out
upon the brain, and in the short period of four days, she
was no more. Three months previous to this dreadful
calamity, she was married by proxy in the very room
in which she died. Sorrow and grief have borne us to
the ground.'
The above is an extract from a letter to Mr. Davis,
dated 'Madrid, 12th July, 1817,' and containing the sad
end of the virgin wife of one of the best and most amiable
of men, who is said to have received at Constantinople,
the news of her death by the very ship in which he ex-
pected her to arrive. To complete the sad romance, the
widower remained single for the remainder of his, by no
means, short life.
The same letter says : ' I have seen Sir Henry, and he
is of opinion that I should do well to absent myself, for
some time at least, from Spain. I have therefore deter-
mined to go to Toulouse, and there wait events. I hope
to be able to set off in the course of next month.'
The General and his family left Madrid in August.
Here his public life ceased for the time, so that it is not
necessary (with a few exceptions) to quote his letters for
the remainder of 1817, or the whole of 1818. He first
went to Toulouse. In September he was at Bagnieres
de Bigorre. In November again at Toulouse, where he
remained till, at all events, the third week in February
1818. For on the 17th of that month, he wrote to Mr.
* It proves also ttat Russian intrigue is an institution too fixed to be
mucli shaken by any moderation or weakness in the ruler of the day.
VISITS BAGNIEKES DE BIGORRE.
275
Davis : — ' I received some time back, a letter from [Count]
Montenegro, whose situation at Court you must recollect,
enclosing the King's manifesto on the abolition of the
Slave Trade. I copy the words of the letter, because I
am forced to speak of myself* and because I know you
will be pleased to see the effects of my influence so
decidedly acknowledged. Dirijo a Vm. el Real Decreto
aholiendo el comercio de negros, creyendo dark con esto
una saiisfaccion por lo mucho que ha contribuido al logro
de un negocio tan importante.f Sir Samford continues : —
' I had upon the subject of the Slave Trade, repeated
and long conversations with the King. At his desire, I
gave him a memorial upon the subject, which merited his
acknowledged approbation, and which he gave to his
Minister for Foreign Affairs, desiring him to read it with
the greatest attention. I read the memorial to the King
myself.'
In the summer of 1818, General Whittingham and his
family, to avoid the great heat, again visited Bagnieres
de Bigorre in the Hautes Pyrenees. Commencing with
the 4th July, he received a three months' visit from his
eldest nephew, Hart Davis, junior, who had been com-
pelled by delicate health to abandon a very promising
parliamentary career, and who had lately married the
truly beautiful and accomplished daughter of Major-
General and Lady Eleanor Dundas. Mr. Hart Davis had
a genius for sketching, especially figures, and many
romantic sketches of Pyrenees' scenes and peasantry were
collected on this occasion in his scrap-book.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Barthelemy Frere, and
dated, ' Chez Monsieur Jalon, Cabinet litteraii^e^ Bagnieres
de Bigorre^ 6th August, 1818,' Sir Samford writes : 'Hart
* In consequence of the calumnies to whicli he had been exposed.
t ' I enclose you the Royal Decree abolishing the traffic in negroes be-
lieving that I shall thereby do you a pleasure, on account of your having
greatly contribrded to the settlement of so important a business.'
276 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Davis and I are just returned from a chasse de chamois,
amongst the highest and most inaccessible chfFs of the
Pyrenees. We were out four days. The fatigue was ex-
cessive, but Davis bore it very well. We expect Ei chard
[Yaughan] Davis on his return from Spain. Could you
not make an effort to join us ?' It does not appear, how-
ever, that his old friend and brother-in-law, Mr. B. Frere,
joined him on that occasion. After the departure of his
guests, the General returned to Toulouse.
Early in 1819, the sudden and unexpected law for the
enforcement of cash payments caused the failure of many
mercantile houses, and the ruin of many families. Mr.
Hart Davis was a great loser on this occasion, and in the
crash Sir Samford also lost, it appears, all his capital.
With an increasing family it became more imperative for
him to obtain active employment of some kind or other.
But a portion of 1819 was passed between Toulouse and
the Pyrenees and Bordeaux, in enforced inactivity. At
last in July 1819 he received the offer of the Lieutenant-
Government of Dominica, an unimportant post, not
very remunerative, and subordinate, to the Governor-in-
Chief at Barbadoes. It was, however, more lucrative
then than at the present period, and he accepted it, with-
out ceasing to hope for more profitable employment in
the East Indies. But though he received the appoint-
ment in July, in anticipation, he was not ordered out im-
mediately. Probably the time of the preceding Governor
wanted six months before expiring. Meanwhile he
thought it his duty before embarking for Dominica to
take leave of the King of Spain : —
To his Brother-in-law,
' Madrid, l^th July, 1819.
'I am this moment returned from the baths of Sacedon
where I was obliged to follow His Majesty. He received
AN ATTENTIVE ROYAL HOST. 277
me with the greatest kindness, approved highly of my
acceptance of the government of Dominica, and assured
me that he should preserve my name in the list of the
Generals of his army. I dined with His Majesty during
the two days of my stay at the baths; and on my
taking leave his behaviour was affectionate in the ex-
treme.
' Pray tell me if you think it would be possible to ob-
tain from the Duke of York, the local rank of Brigadier-
General for me in Dominica. I have been now ten
years a General ; and it is an unpleasant feehng to
change the name for Colonel if it can be avoided.* It
is indeed woeful to see that the expense of my commis-
sion [as Governor] will amount to nearly 600/.'
In this letter to his brother-in-law. Sir Samford Whit-
tingham gave only the above very brief account of his
farewell to King Ferdinand. Fortunately in the ' Eecol-
lections,' which have been so often quoted, there is a
fuller account of his last intercourse with that Prince,
which will now be laid before the reader : —
'In 1819 I accepted the government of Dominica, in
the West Indies. But previous to my departure I
thought it my duty to go to Madrid to take leave of
the King of Spain. Troubles had again surrounded him,
and the army of Andalusia was in a state of insurrection.
His Majesty was at the baths of Sacedon, and desired my
immediate attendance.
' The order of the day was as follows : — At daybreak
His Majesty walked to the baths. At eleven he held a
little Court of the persons present at Sacedon. At one,
all the officers of a certain rank dined with His Majesty,
at a round table calculated to hold sixteen ; His Majesty
doing the honours as host, and paying the greatest atten-
* A natural regret for tlie man whom the Duke of Wellington had
addressed as a General so many years previously.
278 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
tioii to all Lis guests. Soon after dinner a plate of the
finest Havannah cigars was presented to the King, who
selected one, and sent it to some one of his guests, with
whose taste for smoking he was acquainted. His Majesty-
then lighted his own cigar and soon after retired to his
apartment. The Duke of Alagon, Captain of the Gardes
du Corps^ then took His Majesty's seat, and the whole
party began to light their cigars. Excellent coffee was
introduced, and we sat smoking and talking till five p.m.,
when His Majesty commenced his evening walk, accom-
panied by all his little Court.
'At the first levee after my arrival, as soon as the
strangers were dismissed, the King said to the Duke of
Alagon, " Leave us, I desire to speak in private with
Santiago."* It is the etiquette of the Spanish Court, that
the Captain of the Gardes du Corps should never quit
the King's person ; and great was the surprise of the
Duke at so novel an order.
' As soon as we were alone. His Majesty opened the
conversation in the most flattering and confidential man-
ner, by saying : " Santiago, you well know the confidence
with which you have inspired me, and how very highly
I esteem you. Tell me, therefore, frankly and openly,
your opinion upon the state of Europe in general, and
upon the revolutionary movements which threaten on all
sides ; and particularly tell me what you think of this
country." " Sir," I replied, " your Majesty well knows
my devoted attachment to your Eoyal person, and how
sincerely I desire and hope for the happiness and pros-
perity of your Majesty and of Spain. I feel, therefore,
no hesitation in answering your question frankly, fully
convinced that the purity of my intentions will not be
doubted. The minds of your Majesty's subjects are gene-
* ^Dejanos, deseo hablar a solas con Santiago.' It was, and probably
still is, the fashion in Spain for friends to address each other by their Chris-
tian names.
THE ambassador's FINAL TESTIMONY. 279
rally unsettled. Novelty and change are the order of
the day : if your Majesty takes the initiative, and makes
a few concessions in harmony with the times, I am of
opinion that they will be received gratefully, and produce
the best effects. If, on the contrary, the people should
take the initiative, nothing short of anarchy and destruc-
tion will satisfy them, and the worst consequences may
be feared."
' The King applauded my opinion, and apparently coin-
cided with it ; but he had not strength of mind to act in
consequence. The next day I took my final leave and
never saw him more.'
The following was the final testimony of the English
Ambassador under whom General Whittingham had
served so long as a British Military Agent in the war in
the Peninsula : —
Sir Henry Wellesley* to Viscount Castlereagh.
^ Madrid, 1st August, 1819.
' My Lord, — Sir Samford Whittingham having retired
from the service of His Catholic Majesty, I cannot suffer
this occasion to pass over of repeating the sense wliich I
entertain of his distinguished services during the war in
the Peninsula, as well as of his uniform desire to pro-
mote, by all the means in his power, the views of the
British Government in this country, which has been mani-
fested upon many important occasions since the restoration
of peace.
' I hope, therefore, that your Lordship will allow me
to avail myself of this opportunity (probably the last I
shall have) of recommending Sir Samford Whittingham
to the protection of the Prince Eegent's Government.
* In 1828 Sir Henry was raised to the peerage as Baron Cowley. His
son — the well-known Ambassador at Paris for many years — has been raised
to an Earldom.
280 MEMOIR OB" SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' He leaves this country with the testimony of all ranks
in his favour, but without any other reward from this
Government for the valuable services rendered by him to
the Spanish cause, than that of being allowed to retain his
rank in the Spanish army.
' I have, &c.,
' Henry Wellesley.'
The words placed by the Editor in italics though
strictly true, imply a greater charge of ingratitude against
the King of Spain, than the facts really substantiate. As
Sir Samford was not prepared to give up the service of
his own country, the King knew that there were marked
limits to the extent of his devotion to His Majesty, which,
with his natural dislike of England and Englishmen, was
calculated to check his liberality. Moreover, the King
had peculiar notions in the matter of rewards. Some one
having asked His Majesty, why a certain distinguished
officer had never been recompensed, he simply replied,
(as if conclusive) that 'He never asked for anything!'*
His Majesty could have pleaded the same excuse on this
occasion in justification for neglecting to reward General
Whittingham, for assuredly the latter never did ask for
any reward from His Catholic Majesty. But the fact is
that the King had made an exception in the English-
man's favour; and, as we have seenf had not waited to
be asked in his case. This will be again proved by the
following letter, which is here inserted out of its place, in
order to finish at once with the Peninsular portion of
this Memoir : —
* The Editor frequently heard Sir Samford Whittingham narrate this
trait of Ferdinand Vll.
t At page 266.
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM'S LETTER TO MR. MURDOCH. 281
Sir Samford Whittingham to Thomas Murdoch^ Esq.
^ Dominique, 23rc? September, 1820.
' My dear Friend, — I am glad you have touched upon
the Spanish question. I have been so deeply involved in
that affair, and so often and so unjustly attacked, under
the false supposition that I had been the principal actor
in the destruction of the liberties of the Spanish people,
that I feel particularly anxious to put you in possession
of everything which occurred on the King's return to
Spain.
' His Majesty after leaving Barcelona chose the route of
Aragon. I commanded at that time all the cavalry and
artillery in that kingdom. I met the King on the fron-
tier, and accompanied him by his express order to Va-
lencia. During the King's stay at Saragossa his mind was
certainly by no means prepared for the plan of action he
was subsequently induced to adopt. For, speaking to me
of the Constitution, he said, " There are many parts of
this work I do not approve ; but if any opposition on
my part were hkely to cause the shedding of one drop of
Spanish blood, I would swear to it immediately."
' At Valencia I was asked my opinion as to whether
the King should swear to the Constitution or not. I an-
swered then, as I should do now, for my sentiments have
not changed : " The Constitution, as it now stands, is
too democratic to be in unison and harmony with the
habits and ideas of the Spanish people, or with the laws
and customs of the Spanish monarchy.* It must be
modified in many parts to give well-founded hopes of its
duration. Yet one article of the Constitution forbids the
* This letter, written in 1820, is of course likely to be more accurate
than the Recollections, written entirely from memory in 1840 ; but there is
no material discrepancy between the two documents. The later accounts
written for his nieces were briefer than the more business-like letter of ex-
planation to Mr. Murdoch.
282 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
slightest alteration during the space of eight years. The
King, therefore, must either deprive himself of the possi-
bility of amelioration, or be guilty of wilful and pre-
determined perjury. It is therefore my opinion that the
King, under existing circumstances, cannot swear to the
Constitution as formed by the Cortes. But it is also my
opinion that the members of the Cortes have deserved
well of the King and of the country ; that His Majesty
unaccompanied by a single soldier should dissolve the
Cortes in person ; should thank them for the good ser-
vices they have rendered to the state, and should express
the pleasure he anticipated in seeing them re-elected by
their constituents as members of the Cortes he was about
to summon."
' The day following, I was directed to return to Sara-
gossa. Three days afterwards I received an official order
from General Elio, in the King's name, to march with
all the cavalry and artillery under my command to
Guadalaxara, nine leagues from Madrid. On the road I
was met by an officer from the Eegency, who desired to
know by what authority I entered Castile. I sent a
copy of the order to the Eegency ; and on my arrival at
Guadalaxara, I received orders from Elio, in the King's
name, to wait the pleasure of His Majesty. On the day
of the Bang's entrance into the capital, the cavalry under
my command marched iu, to line the streets. But so far
were they from being necessary, that the people had
gone out three leagues to meet the King ; had taken the
horses out of his carriage, and were bringing him in
triumph into the city, when we arrived at the gates of
Madrid.
' As to the arrests of the members of the Cortes, they
had taken place the night before by order of Eguia,
when not one soldier of mine was within thirty miles of
the. capital.
' This is a plain statement of facts ; and I confess I
RETURN TO BAGNIERES DE BIQORRE. 283
am not aware that I could in anywise vary my conduct
had I again to act in a similar situation.
'A few days after His Majesty arrived in Madrid, he
sent to me the Count de Corres, nephew to the Duke of
San Carlos,* " to desire me to point out any favour I wished
to have granted, as his Majesty was desirous of giving
me some proof of his esteem.' I requested the Count
de Corres to state to his Majesty, " my gratitude for his
kindness ; but at the same time, to assure His Majesty
that I felt amply rewarded by the military promotion
I had obtained during the war, and that I desired
nothing further." One word from me at that time would
have obtained me a title, and a military encomienda.f
But I felt that my position was delicate ; and I preferred
without hesitation, as I trust in God I always shall,
poverty to dishonour. Had I accepted a reward from
Ferdinand, it might have been said that I had been
bribed ; and I have always considered, that it is not suffi-
cient to be satisfied in your own conscience that you
have acted rightly ; it is necessary to deprive even your
enemies of every plausible pretext for attacking your re-
putation.
' Beheve me, &c.
'Samford Whittingham.'
From Madrid, Sir Samford returned early in August,
1819, to Bagnieres de Bigorre ; whence he removed in
October to Bordeaux.
In November, he took his two eldest children via Paris
to London, to his brother-in-law's, and saw them soon
after estabhshed at a school in Hammersmith, at which
were staying the two sons of his dear friend Sir Henry
Torrens. He passed less than two months in England on
this occasion.
* The Duke was then the King's principal Minister.
t Either the product of a certain amount of land, or a claim on the rent.
284 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Whilst still there, he wrote a letter to Mr. Davis dated
14th December, 1819, in which he informed him that he
had ' had a long conversation with Lord Castlereagh the
other day ' on the subject of his (Mr. Davis) losses, by
the great commercial crisis of that period. The Minister
assured Sir Samford that notwithstanding these losses his
brother-in-law ' never stood so high in the opinion of
Government.' His Lordship added : — ' He has borne his
unmerited misfortunes with a strength of mind which
does him infinite honour ; and the value of his character
was never so well known as since his late trial. His Eoyal
Highness the Eegent said the other day, " There is not a
man in the House of Commons, without one single ex-
ception, for whom I have a higher esteem than for Hart
Davis." ' *
It may be easily imagined what pleasure it gave Sir
Samford Whittingham to communicate Lord Castlereagh's
observations to his oldest and best friend and connection,
in whose losses his own fortune had likewise disappeared.
He had now to take leave of Mr. Davis and his old
friends, to proceed to the West Indies.
Before sailing, the account of which will be given in the
following chapter. Sir Samford received a farewell letter
from his old friend Baron Hugel, which contained the fol-
lowing not very encouraging passage :
' Com/ment, mon ami, vous allez done vous ensevelir
dans un pays sans souvenirs et sans esperances ? Un
pays de sucre, de cafe et d'esclaves ? Un pays oic tout le
m.onde vegete dans le vice et dans Vignorance ? Que le bon
Dieu vous benisse, et vous tienne dans sa sainte garde ! ' f
* Lest the reader should suppose this to be a mere party opinion, it may-
be well here to state that the liberal Lord William Bentinck, in one of his
letters to Sir Samford Whittingham, written in 1831, states, ' I have always
had a great respect for Mr. Hart Davis.'
t ' What, my friend, you are going to bury yourself in a country without
recollections, and without hopes ? A land of sugar, of coffee, and of slaves P
A land in wliich all the world vegetates in vice and ignorance ? May God
bless you, and shield you with his holy protection ! '
ARRIVAL AT DOMINICA. 285
CHAPTER Xni.
1820—1822.
GENERAL WHITTINGHAM's ARRIVAL IN" DOMINICA — RESTORES ORDER
AND CONCORD — ANXIOUS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN INDIA — HIS SYS-
TEM OF GOVERNMENT— FAVOURS THE SLAVE POPULATION — TESTIMO-
NIALS BOTH FROM THE ISLANDERS AND THE PROPRIETORS RESIDENT
IN ENGLAND — BOON TO THE WHITE SOLDIERS BY SIR SAMFORD's RE-
COMMENDATION— WILBERFORCE's letter to the bishop of CALCUTTA
— his autograph letter to sir samford — george iv. and the
due:e of York's letters of introduction — sir henry torrens's
prophetical letter — a most delightful personage — a popular
MARQUIS — UNCLE TOBY AND CORPORAL TRIM — A GOVERNOR- GENERAL's
SMILES AND FROWNS— VISIT TO LORD HASTINGS AT BARRACKPORE — HIS
lordship's flattering CONFIDENCE— how LORD HASTINGS SILENCED
AVA's king — ARRIVAL OF SIR EDWARD PAGET, THE NEW COMMANDER-
IN-CHIEF — LORD Hastings's great error.
On tlie evening of the 1st January, 1820, Sir Samford
Whittingliam arrived at Dover, 'after spending a delight-
ful day at Maidstone mth Sir John Brown.' * On the
3rd he recrossed the Straits, and returned to Bordeaux
via Paris, as he had come. Sickness in his family de-
tained Mm many weeks ; f so that the embarkation did
not take place till near the end of February ; and Domi-
nica was reached on the 28th of March.
By May, he was obliged to send home one of his chil-
dren from sickness, and the remainder of his family were
laid up with fever. But he had the satisfaction of speedily
restoring order and concord in Dominica, which had been
in a discontented state before his arrival.
* Letter to his brother-in-law.
t During this detention, the sad news must have reached him of the pre-
mature death of his earliest illustrious patron, the good and kind-hearted
Duke of Kent, who expired on the 23rd January, 1820.
286 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
In abetter, dated ' Koseau, 24th August, 1820,' lie
writes : — ' We are going on perfectly well here, and I
hope shall continue so to do. I make it a point to em-
ploy all possible forbearance and moderation in all my
transactions with the [local] Colonial Government, and I
love to hope that my efforts will be crowned with suc-
cess.' On 2nd October, he records the destructive effects
of a gale, and sends a memorial on the subject to His
Majesty. In a later letter he writes, ' Exercise is gene-
rally considered as contributive to health in this country.
For myself I never took harder exercise even in Europe.
The other day I walked upwards of twelve miles in a
broiling sun ; a^d found myself aU. the better for it.'
This was pretty well in a tropical mountainous Island.
But Dominica with its small garrison had no attractions
for a zealous soldier, whose thoughts were entirely turned
to India. As early as May 1821, he had hopes of an
Indian appointment ; and was anxious to get Earl
Bathurst's leave to quit his government as soon as he
should be nominated to the new post. At this time
Lady Whittingham's health compelled her to return to
Europe with the two younger children. From his coun-
try seat, ' Bahillard' on the 20th May, 1821, he writes
to his brother with no love for his solitary life in the
little sugar Island, in which there was little to interest
him : ' Were I not provided with books it would be diffi-
cult to prevent my spirits from sinking under it. I go
to town [Eoseau] Tuesdays and Thursdays. I start at
five in the morning, and leave Eoseau at five in the even-
ing.' He amused himself by writing home instructions
for the education of his children, the eldest of whom was
less than eight years old.
In the same letter he records his simple system of
colonial government. It is perhaps not unworthy of re-
cord ; as it is certain that there seldom was a more
popular government than liis brief one of Dominica : —
HIS SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. 287
' I have not hitherto occupied your attention about the
affairs of this government ; because I have not thought it
of sufficient importance. My own system has been simple
and unvaried. I have never courted any man. I have
never favoured any particular party. I have constantly
inculcated, both by precept and example, that in all our
acts and deeds the good of the Colony should be our
only object ; and that a spirit of harmony reigning with-
out interruption in all the councils of this Colonial Legis-
lature would be the best and surest mode of re-estab-
lishing our reputation at home 1 I have lived retired
from society except on particular occasions ; and I have
endeavoured, as much as in me lay, both by my public
and private conduct, to justify my principles by my ex-
ample. I am happy to be able to add, that success has
crowned my endeavours, and that the inhabitants of
Dominica are satisfied with their Governor.'
He here omits, however, one of the well known causes
of his popularity throughout his life, his hospitable din-
ners, which, in spite of his own temperate habits, he took
care should be most excellent of their kind. His friend
Mr. Murdoch, the great wine merchant, selected his sherry
and madeira. His French friend Count Turenne, who
had been in the household of Napoleon, ordered for him
his champagne and claret direct from France, and en-
sured him the best vintages. Especially was this the case
in India, but the system was commenced in Dominica.
In the letter before quoted, he writes : ' I hope to be
able to forward to Lord Bathurst by this packet an act
of this Colonial Legislature, containing many useful regu-
lations in favour of the slave population. The 35th clause,
which establishes the admission of the evidence of people
of colour in criminal cases, a privilege they did not before
enjoy, I consider as most just and highly expedient.' A
long discussion on the state of the Island concludes the
letter.
288 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
On the 5tli of October, 1821, he describes his joy at
receiving the news of his appointment as Quartermaster-
General of the royal army in India, and adds : ' In con-
sequence of the letters by this packet, I have called the
Council and Assembly together for Monday next, when I
shall address to them my farewell speech. I shall, how-
ever, of course, not give up the reins of government till
I quit the Island. The sale of my few moveables wiU
begin immediately : I fear their produce will be trifling.
My outfit was expensive, but consisted almost exclusively
of eatables and drinkables, and has therefore vanished
without leaving a trace. You will not hear from me by
letter after this packet : for as I go home in the next,
I should only be the bearer of my own dispatches.'
The popularity of Sir Samford Whittingham in Domi-
nica (in spite of his short stay and his haste to depart)
was proved by something more lasting than words, more
convincing than addresses, though these were not want-
ing. The inhabitants of the Island presented him with
the Grand Cross of San Fernando, beautifully set in dia-
monds, in testimony of his important services, whilst he
administered the government of that Island. And the
proprietors of estates resident in England also made him
a present of a dress sword, as a testimony of their ap-
probation of his conduct. His Majesty George TV. was
moreover graciously pleased, on his return to England,
to make him a Knight Commander of the Hanoverian
Guelphic Order.
But even in Dominica with its small garrison, so dif-
ferent from the force he had commanded in 1813, he did
not forget the interests of his soldiers ; for, as full Colonel,
he had commanded the troops as a consequence of being
Governor. The following letter was written to Sir Sam-
ford Whittingham (some months after his return to
England) by the Secretary at the Colonial Office : —
BOON TO THE WHITE SOLDIERS. 289
' Downing Street, Friday, 18^A January, 1822.
' Sir, — Perhaps it will be superfluous for me to inform
you that your proposition with respect to the attachment
of ten black men,* &c. &c. will be immediately recom-
mended by Lord Bathurst to the consideration of His
Eoyal Highness the Commander-in-Chief; and that your
other valuable suggestions have been attended to. But
as you were so obhging as to write to me at my desire
upon these points, I have thought it right to apprize
you myself of the effect of your letter. I have the
honour to remain,
' Your most obedient humble servant,
' E. WiLMOT.'
* Sir Samford Whittingham, &c.'
In this letter was one to Mr. Wilmot from Sir Herbert
Taylor, conveying the intention of H.E.H. the Duke of
York to apply in future the practice suggested, ' in the
proportion of ten men for each company of the Euro-
pean regiments serving at any time in the West Indies.'
What a boon this was to the non-commissioned officers
and privates serving in that trying climate, even civilians
will be able to comprehend.
Previously to this correspondence, the health of Lady
Whittingham not permitting her to proceed to India, the
General had taken her and the younger children to Paris,
and leaving the elder at their school in England, to
spend their holidays with their uncle Mr. Hart Davis, he
started on his first long Indian exile, rendered necessary
by his increase of family and the partial expenditure and
partial loss of his private fortune.
It was and is usual to take introductions on going to
India ; and certainly. Colonel Sir Samford Whittingham
carried out with him, testimonies of which any man might
well have been proud.
* To each company of infantry.
U
290 MEMOIR OF SIR S F. WHITTINGIIAM.
The following letter was dictated, all but the post-
script, by the celebrated Wilham Wilberforce, a great
friend of Mr. Harford of Blaise Castle, Sir Samford's
nephew by marriage : —
To the Lord Bishop of Calcutta.*
' Near London, 22nd April, 1822.
(Extract.)
' My dear Lord, — I at once esteem it an honour and
feel it a pleasure to have devolved on me the welcome
office of introducing to your Lordship Sir Samford Whit-
tingham, who is going out to India to fill the important
station of Quartermaster-General. Notwithstanding your
having been so long removed into another hemisphere,
and your attention solicited by such a variety of new
and interesting objects, I can scarcely doubt that you
have kept in view what has been going forward in the
Western world, sufficiently to render it almost unneces-
sary for me to state to you how high and important a
place General Whittingham has occupied both on the
Continent (in Spain), and since as a Governor of one of
our West Indian Islands. But I have still greater plea-
sure in telling you that he is, I trust, under the influence
of religious principles, which render him very favourable
to those high objects, which though less brilliant in the
eyes of men of the world, are justly considered to be of
a higher order, and more important to the best interests
of our fellow-creatures.'
The rest of the long dictated letter relates to missionary
work in India. The signature and postscript are alone
written by the great philanthi'opist himself. The post-
script says : — 'A complaint in my eyes, which has become
habitual, compels me to write by the hand of another.'
* The Bishop (Dr. Middleton) died a few months after the arrival at
Calcutta of Sir Samford Whittingham.
wilberforce's letters. 291
This no doubt applied only to long letters ; for, five days
later, lie writes to Sir Sam ford the following entirely in
his own hand, which however apparently must have been
a great exertion to him, being somewhat difficult to de-
cipher : —
' 45 Brompton Kow, 27th April, 1822.
(Extract.)
' My dear Sir, — My friend Mr. Harford gratified me
some time ago by telling me that you would allow me to
have the honour and pleasure (for I can truly say it is
both the one and the other in my judgment and feelings)
of introducing the Bishop of Calcutta to your acquaint-
ance. Allow me, therefore, to request of you to be the
bearer of the inclosed letter. I hope to have the pleasure
of wishing you a good voyage in person : but as you
may make up your letters, &c. before your departure, I
had better send it now. The Bishop, I scarcely need
assure you, is a man of learning and talents, and of piety
too, I trust ; though there was at one time, not quite that
feeling expressed towards some of the best of men in
India, I mean regular clergymen, too, that was to be de-
sired. I hope the liberal grant of 5,000/. to the Bishop's
College, and at his disposal, will have done away all
jealousy, and have shown his Lordship the wish our
society really feels to testify their respect for his station
and character, and their desire of aiding his endea-
vours for the public good. Of course all this I take the
liberty of throwing out confidentially,* and remain, with
every good wish for your health and happiness, my
dear Sir S.
' Your faithful servant,
' W. WiLBERFORCE.'
* General Sir S. Whittingham, &c.'
* After forty-five years, it is to be hoped that these doubts about the
Bishop's likings for certain missionaries may be published without indis-
cretion.
u 2
292 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Lieut. -General Sir H. Clinton whom Sir Samford had
served under for a short time in 1813, and Sir Herbert
Taylor, Military Secretary, whose acquaintance he had re-
cently made, and Lieut. -General Sir John Murray, who
had so often praised him in General Orders, all wrote
flattering letters introducing him to the Coiumander- in-
Chief in India, the Hon. Sir Edward Paget, that brother
of the Marquis of Anglesey, who both from his public
and private character might be truly called the pearl of
the Pagets.
From limited space only three more introductions are
inserted in this work. These are of no common kind : —
H.M. Kiiig George IV. to Sir Edward Paget
' Carlton House, 27th A27ril, 1822.
' My dear Sir Edward, — This will be delivered to you
by my aide-de-camp. Sir Samford Whittingham,* a very
smart, excellent, and distinguished officer ; but this must
be as well known to you as to myself. I do desire,
therefore, that you will take every opportunity of shew-
ing him kindness and advancing his interests : this will be
truly felt by
' Your sincere friend,
' Geoege E.'
' To His Excellency Lieut.-General
' The Hon. Sir Edward Paget, &c.; India.'
The next is official from H.R.H. the Duke of York ;
and gives Sir Edward his local rank of (full) General : —
' Horse-Guards, 3rc? May, 1822.
' Sir, — Colonel Sir Samford Whittingham being about
to embark for India, to take upon himself the duties of
Quartermaster-General of the Force under your com-
* Was it the gentlemanly repugnance to call a man Colonel who had so
long served as a General^ that made His Majesty omit the military rank
altogether ?
SIR HENRY TORRENS'S PROPHETICAL LETTER. 293
mand, I cannot suffer him to proceed without recom-
mending him to you as an officer highly deserving of
your confidence.
' I am, Sir, yours,
' Frederick,
^ Commander-in-Chief.'
' General the Hon. Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B.'
The following letter is, on several accounts, especially
worthy of record : —
From Sir Henry Torrens^ Adjutant- General.*
< Horse- GuAKDS, 4th May, 1822,
' My dear Paget, — I am desirous of presenting to you
the bearer. Sir Samford Whittingham, in a manner quite
different from the common run of introductions ; for as
an officer and a gentleman, I think you will find him a
peculiar acquisition to your Staff. He joins to a practical
knowledge of his profession every scientific acquirement
which is necessary to render him a useful and distin-
guished Staff officer ; and I only regret that the Consti-
tution and usages in India are so little calculated to
enable you to benefit by Whittingham's talents,*}" in the
duties of his appointment, should you happen to have
any service in the field.
' Depend upon it, however, that you will always find
him capable of fulfilling your expectations, in any situa-
tion in which the exigencies of the service may require
you or enable you to place him. You perhaps know that
Sir Samford was employed with the Spanish army from
the earhest period of the revolt of that nation against the
* So appointed 25th March, 1820.
t Sir Henry Torrens alludes to the jealous provisions against the influ-
ence of King's versus Company's officers. The Quartermaster-General, for
instance, of all the King's forces in India was, in each Presidency, a less
influential officer than the Quartermaster-Generals of the three local armies.
With the aholition of the Company, all have hecome Royal officers.
294 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
power of France ; and that he held a very considerable
command until the period when he conducted King Fer-
dinand to Madrid. His devotion to the Spanish cause
has led him into expenses in the public service of that
country which he has never recovered, and which has so
materially impaired a private fortune once considerable,
that he is forced to proceed to India as the only probable
means left him of benefiting a numerous family, which
he leaves in Europe.* Exclusive of this inducement, I
must add in justice to Whittingham's military zeal, that
he has long wished to serve in the East, where the ex-
tensive scale of operations affords an ample field to a
soldier's laudable ambition. It is difficult now to say
whether any operations may occur in India for a length
of time. If they do, depend upon it you will never find
him fail you : and whether they do or not I feel con-
fident that you wiU lend your friendly hand towards the
aid of his interests in any manner in which you can
benefit the King's Quartermaster-General.
' I sincerely join, my dear Paget, in the desire felt by
aU your friends in this country to hear from you, and in
the hope of good accounts, I remain ever,
Yours most sincerely,
' H. TORRENS.'
^ General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B.'
The words of Sir Henry Torrens which the Editor has
placed in italics, were (as the reader will see in due time)
realized to the letter in the organization of the Indian
army, and in the preparations for the campaign in Bur-
mah, and for the siege of Bhurtpore.
* Sir Samford, it seems, liad not imparted to Sir Henry Torrens the
cause of his other losses of fortune.
LETTER FROM MR. BARTLE FRERE. 295
Sir Samford Whittingliam to his Brother-in-law.
' Madras, ^OtJi Septemhe)-, 1822.
' Our passage was long and tedious, but tranquil and
easy. General Sir Alexander Campbell ' [Commander-in-
Chief at Madras], ' sent one of his aides-de-camp on board
the ''Lady Raffles,^^ with a very kind note requesting me
to occupy a room in his house. I had not seen him
since the battle of Talavera, where we were both
wounded. The 24th, I landed early in the morning, and
breakfasted with him. His attentions to me have been
unceasing. Lord Hastings will sail from Calcutta towards
the end of December. A vessel in the service of the
Company has already sailed from Bombay, with orders to
touch at Ceylon and bring Sir Edward Paget and family
to Calcutta. He will probably arrive in the course of
November.
' 27id September. — To-morrow we sail for Calcutta.'
How Sir Samford had been appreciated at Madras is
recorded in a letter written some months later in London
by Mr. Bartle Frere, dated only 'Friday night,' and
without address, but evidently written to Mr. Hart
Davis : —
' On returning home to-night, I find a letter from my
friend to whom I recommended Whittingham, at Madras,
by which I have the pleasure of informing you of his
safe arrival there. It is dated October the 4th. I sup-
pose he must have been there some days, for my corre-
spondent says : " he is a most dehghtful personage, much
liked by all who have had an opportunity of cultivating
his acquaintance." In another passage he says, "your
friend is still detained here, and will not proceed on his
voyage yet for a few days. He resides with Sir A.
Campbell, so that we meet almost daily, and so pleasant
do we all find him that we not only regret the shortness
of his stay among us, but wish that he were finally fixed
296 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITJJNGHAM.
at Madras, instead of Calcutta." I am surprised that we
have nothing from Whittingham.'
It appears by one of his letters that the latter arrived
at Calcutta on the 2nd November, 1822. The following
was written by Sir Samford after making acquaintance
with the Marquis of Hastings, then Governor-General and
also Commander-in-Chief : —
To his Brother-in-laiv .
' Calcutta, 26th Novembei-, 1822.
' I have not yet been enabled to procure a house, but
I am in hopes of succeeding within a day or two. Com-
modore Hayes has very kindly given me a lodging in his
house, without which assistance I really know not what
I should have done ; for Sir Thomas Macmahon* has no
spare room, and the hotels are not frequented by gentle-
men. I have spent a week in Barrackpore with Lord
Hastings. I never knew a more delightful man.'
He sent his brother-in-law some extracts from his
journal since his arrival in Calcutta, a very few of which,
and these curtailed, follow here.
' Calcutta, 2nd Novembef', 1822. — Nothing can exceed
the magnificent view which the entrance into Calcutta
presents.' [Here, there is a long description, needless to
quote, of oft-described beauties.] ' The climate is now
as delightful as the scenery is enchanting, the thermo-
meter ranging from 65° to 75°. Land of magnificent re-
collections, I hail thee ! Thy history of the past, thy
present greatness, thy future changes — are all equally
interesting ; and nothing which relates to India can be
considered with indifference.
'At half-past two I landed at Calcutta, and Commo-
dore Hayes insisted upon my occupying rooms in his
house. I never in any part of the world experienced such
* Then Adjutant-General of the royal army in India.
A MOST POPULAR MARQUIS. 297
hospitality from anyone as from the Commodore and his
family.*
' 1th November. — I called this morning on Marquis
Hastings at Government House. He received me very
kindly, spoke with much interest on the subject of the
late war, and finally took credit to himself for the pre-
sent prosperous state of India. The 16th Lancers are just
arrived, and we compared the advantages and disadvan-
tages of the sabre and the lance. To elucidate the dis-
cussion, the Marquis ordered two of the native lances to
be produced. They are made of bamboo, very elastic
and very light. The Marquis took one lance, I took
another ; we pointed our weapons, and advanced to the
charge. My Uncle Toby and Corporal Trim could not
have done it better.
'At seven in the evening I returned to dinner. Lady
Hastings made her appearance at half-past eight.' [A
very graphic but not equally flattering description of her
Ladyship is here omitted.] 'The Marquis himself is the
model of a perfect English gentleman, and had Lady
Hastings! not accompanied him to India, he would have
been the most popular Governor-General that ever yet
presided over the affairs of that Government.
' Lord Hastings dines in the French style, the gentle-
men accompany the ladies to the drawing-room. This is
to me on every account delightful, and particularly so
in the present case, as it furnishes ample opportunity for
long and interesting conversations with his Lordship.'
Sir Samford then describes at large the details given
by his Lordship of his successful administration of the
* Nothing strikes an Englisliman on first arriving in India more than
the boundless hospitality of his countrymen.
t A haughtiness of manner (that may have been unintentional) was
apparently the chief cause of this lady's unpopularity in India. She is
said, however^ to have also habitually kept her guests waiting dinner for
hours.
298 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
finances of India, in spite of the great expenses of a three
years' war.
The journal then proceeds, — 'His Lordship related
many amusing anecdotes of Scindiah, Ameer Khan, and
Holkar. His system of espionage was so well organized
during the war, that he always received with the least
possible loss of time, copies of the information sent to the
enemy. This generally consisted of observations made
on him personally, and the deductions were very curious.
His Lordship's smiles and frowns, seriousness and gaiety,
nay, the very pace he rode in his morning's exercise,
were, according to these deep observers, all the result
of political causes. And not a single action of his life,
however trivial, could they allow to take place, with-
out attributing it to some great and mighty hidden
cause.'
Next comes the visit to Lord Hastings, at Barrackpore.
The Marquis had been more than nine years in his high
position, having been appointed on the 12th March,
1813:—
From the Marquis of Hastings.
[Calcutta], * ^th November, 1822.
' My dear Sir, — Next Friday morning, we shall return
to Barrackpore, to pass a week, possibly our last, at that
pleasant place. As you may like to see it, and your
company there would be gratifying to Lady Hastings and
myself, I cannot omit trying to tempt you thither. It
will be a novelty to you to be lodged in a bungalow,
but I trust you would find it no uncomfortable accom-
modation.
' I have the honour to be, my dear Sir,
' Your very obedient servant,
' Hastings.'
' Sir S. F. Whittingham, &c.'
LOED Hastings's flattering confidence. 299
Extracts of Joiiiiial continued.
' Barrackpore, 16th November, 1822. — I left the hospi-
table mansii^n of Commodore Hayes, at six this morning,
and arrived at this beautiful mansion of the Governor-
General, at half past seven, distance sixteen miles.'*
[After describing the luxurious comforts provided for
him and the kind attentions shown him by the Marquis,
and also detailing the habits of the household at Barrack-
pore ; he describes his ' first elephantine excursion '] :
' Captain Doyle called for me at five o'clock. The how-
dah or castle contains tv^o persons with ease. The ele-
phant lies down, a ladder is placed against his side,
which you ascend, to take your lofty seat. The animal
is commonly twelve feet high. I like his motion, and
prefer this mode of conveyance to any other. A thousand
recollections of the grandeur of the House of Timour,
of war and battle, and the rise and fall of mighty em-
pires, are conjured up by being mounted on this noble
animal.
'17 th Nov. — Lord Hastings took me with him this
morning at five o'clock, on his favourite elephant, through
the cantonment of four battalions of native infantry, situ-
ated on the open ground beyond the park. His conver-
sation is always interesting and instructive, and his good-
ness and kindness to me are flattering in the extreme.
' 18^A Nov. — The house in w^hich I am lodged, is not
properly a bungalow (which is in fact a thatched cot-
tage), but a square building composed of four habitations,
with a large dining-room in the centre. Mr. Adam, who
will hold the Government ad interim, after the departure
of Lord Hastings, occupies one suite of rooms. Major
Taylor, the director of the college of writers, another, the
third is vacant, and I occupy the fourth. The Marquis
* All mere local descriptions are omitted. Tliis journal alone would make
a good sized pamphlet !
300 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
is kind and attentive to me beyond measure, and I find
in the familiar intercourse with which he is pleased to
honour me, the greatest source of enjoyment. I certainly
never experienced so much confidence from any great
man in so short an acquaintance, as from Lord Hastings.
' 19th Nov. — This morning after breakfast, Lord Hast-
ings * desired me to accompany him to his study, where
he was pleased to submit to my perusal the following
interesting documents.' — [Briefly, they were five im-
portant political correspondences, on the principal trans-
actions of Lord Hastings, political, diplomatic, and financial
affairs, including matters concerning the King of Oude,
the Peishwa, and the Eajah of Bhurtpore. Of these
documents, one was : — ] ' A letter from the Kesident at
Oude, giving an account of his having communicated to
the King the intended departure of Lord Hastings. The
King of Oude was so affected at the news, that for some
time, he could not speak. At length, a flood of tears
came to his relief, and he burst forth into the most bitter
lamentations.' [The Eajah of Bhurtpore had very prac-
tically proved the influence over him of the Governor-
General. Sir Samford remarks : — ] ' When we reflect
upon this Eaj all's triumph over our forces under Lord
Lake, and upon his extreme vanity and arrogance since
that period, this change of sentiment and manner does
great credit to the able negotiations of Lord Hastings.'
[When he penned these words. Sir Samford little ima-
gined that he himself was destined to contribute greatly
to the final downfall of this haughty Eajah.]
'After finishing the perusal of these documents, his
Lordship related the following anecdotes of the King of
Ava and of Scindiah.
' Whilst the Marquis was engaged in the war against
* Lord Hastings being Commander-in-Chief as well as Governor-General,
tlie Quartermaster- General was under his immediate orders. But officially
the latter had nothing to do with civil affairs.
LORD Hastings's flattering confidence. 301
Central India, he received an embassy from the King of
Ava, ordering him to restore immediately to the empire
of the Burmese, their natural frontiers, by delivering up,
to the officers he should appoint, Dacca and all its corre-
sponding territories. The Governor-General sent back the
King of Ava's letter upon the pretended supposition that
it was a forgery quite unknown to the King, and evi-
dently invented by some enemy to the peace and tran-
quillity which so happily reigned between the two
empires. Nothing more was heard of the pretensions of
the King of Ava.'
The anecdote regarding Scindiah, (too long for insertion
here) proved how Lord Hastings had won his gratitude
and effective services by boldly reposing confidence in
him at a critical moment.
The following is the only other note of his Lordship's
to Sir Samford, besides the one already quoted, that has
reached the Editor's hands : —
[Calcutta] '■ 2^th November, 1822.
' My dear Sir, — If you have no other engagement for
Wednesday or Thursday, let me beg of you to favour us
with your company to dinner on either of these days
which may best suit you. Many thanks for the Archduke
Charles's narrative. Though I have only been able to
give a hasty glance at it, I have had a lesson from it.
With decent self-sufficiency, I had flattered myself that
I had conceived and digested novel principles respecting
mountain warfare, and I have found all my notions,
superiorily detailed in the observations on the inroad into
the Tyrol.—
' I have the honour to be, my dear Sir,
' Your very obedient servant,
' Hastings.'
' Sir S. F. Whittingham, &c.'
302 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Sir Samford Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
^ Calcutta, Qth Dece^nher, 1822.
' To-day the address has been presented to Lord Hast-
ings, and he made his reply. Sir Edward Paget is
arrived in the river.* On the 28th Lord Hastings sails
in the " Glasgow^'' Captain Doyle, for the Mediterranean.
It is strongly rumoured here that Mr. Canning will not
come out, that Lord Wellesley will be appointed Governor-
General, and Lord Hastings go to Ireland in his room.
This arrangement, if there were any truth in it, would
please the people of this country amazingly : for Lord
Wellesley is more popular amongst all ranks and all
classes than I can possibly express.
' To-morrow I commence the Persian language ; at
which I shall work as though recommencing life.'
The account of the first meeting of Sir Samford Whit-
tingham with Sir Edward Paget, the man Avho was to
become to him a more than second Cadogan, has not
reached the Editor's hands. The appearance and man-
ners of the new Commander-in-Chief, even before there
was time to appreciate his inestimable mental and moral
qualities, were calculated to win all hearts, and to com-
mand universal respect. Though both the Chief and his
Quartermaster-General had fought and bled in the
Peninsula, they had never yet met as acquaintances. But
they were soon destined to become both officially and
privately the best and truest of friends, thus reahzing in
a wonderful degree the sanguine anticipations of Sir
Henry Torrens's remarkable letter of introduction.
Sir Samford Whittingham's first opinions in favour of
the Marquis of Hastings were afterwards considerably
modified, on discovering the wretchedly inefficient state
in which that nobleman had left the army of Bengal,
* From Ceylon, where lie had been Governor.
SIR EDWARD PAGET. 303
wMcli he had sacrificed entirely to his otherwise laud-
able schemes of economy. In India, especially, to be
ready for war is indispensable to the permanent security
of peace ; and the expenses of the Burmese war, and of
the Bhurtpore campaign were of course greatly increased
by the Marquis's neglect of this maxim. Though he saved
money himself, he became a main cause of the expen-
diture of his successors, who were compelled in haste to
supply what he had failed at leisure to provide — a weU
organized military force.
In this respect Sir Edward Paget had a great and
arduous task to perform, and he performed it well, with
the assistance of that Staff-officer whom he most esteemed
and on whom he most relied ; and to whom, with a
generosity as magnanimous as it is rare, he gave to the
utmost of his power, his fuU share of the honour and
credit due to their united and indefatiga.ble exertions ; as
will be seen in the next and following chapters.
304 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM
CHAPTER XIV.
1823—1825.
DEATH OP THE MAEQUIS OP LONDON^DERRY — DEATH OF DISHOP MID-
DLETON — SIR EDWARD PAGET's PLATTERING PROPOSAL — INDIA SHOULD
BE RULED BY A VICEROY — THE KING OP OUDE — A HANDSOME COM-
MANDER-IN-CHIEP — REORGANIZATION OF BENGAL ARMY INDISPENSABLE
— ^WRETCHED STATE OF MILITARY MEANS — ARDUOUS OFFICIAL LABOURS
— ENCOURAGEMENT TO SMOKERS — SIR EDWARD PAGET's SOLE SOURCE
OF COMPORT — THE MUTINY AT BARRACKPORE — SIR SAMFORD's REPORT
OF THE MUTINY — HIS SUBSEQUENT DEFENCE OF SIR EDWARD PAGET —
DEATH OF SIR ALEXANDER CAMPBELL — THE ALTER EGO OF THE COM-
MANDER-IN-CHIEF— SIR HERBERT TAYLOR'S LETTER TO SIR SAMFORD —
ILLNESS OF SIR EDWARD PAGET — ADVICE FOLLOWED FORTY YEARS
LATER — LORD COMBERMERE's ARRIVAL — FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF HIS
lordship — character of sir edward paget — parting exchange
of presents— the hookah and the ' admiral ' — lord comber-
mere's advance to besiege bhurtpore— efficient preparations
OWING TO SIR EDWARD PAGET — LORD COMBERMERE's TEMPORARY COLD-
NESS TO SIR SAMFORD WHITTINGHAM.
Sir Samford Whittingham. to his Brother-in-law.
^ Calcutta, IWi January, 1823.
' We yesterday received the melanclioly intelligence that
Lord Londonderry ^ had put a period to his existence.
Gracious God! when such a man as this finds life too
great a burden to be borne, who amongst us can place
confidence in himself? Who can say, " fountain of thy
waters I will never drink"? No doubt his mind must
have been partially deranged, but this is a poor conso-
lation ; for madness has so many shades that its bound-
aries are scarcely to he defined, nor can its approaches
be easily guarded against.
* Better known as A'iscoiint Castlereagh. -
DEATH OF BISHOP MIDDLETON. 305
' Lady Harriet Paget will sail for England this month.
The General will begin the journey to the interior early
in July.'
On the 19th January, 1823, Sir Samford Whitting-
ham writes, ' Lady Harriet Paget sails the latter end of
this month. She is without exception one of the most
amiable women I ever knew. I cultivate Sir Edward's
friendship, and am every day more dehghted with him.'
lo the Same.
* Calcutta, 8th February y 1823.
' The season is very fine, and yet we have lost many
men of mark within the last six months ; the Bishop,*
the Archdeacon, the Chief Justice, the Surveyor-General
Mr. Good, one of the principal judges. Dr. Jameson,
brother-in-law to Torrens, and many others !
' I continue my water and vegetable diet. I do not
even eat fish. Sir Edward is not yet returned from ac-
companying Lady Harriet down the river. He is expected
to-day. She has taken charge of a letter for you. You
will find her to be everything that is amiable and good
and kind. We expect to begin our journey at the end
of June. Our expedition will last full two years. We
are all anxiety to know if Mr. Canning comes out, and if
not who replaces him.'
The following letter gives the earliest indications of Sir
Edward Paget's desire to profit by the zeal and ability of
the Quartermaster-General of the King's army, in India ;
qualities the more valuable from the (at that period)
generally notorious inefficiency of the wonted channels of
the General Staff, the Company's officers, for carrying on
the business of the Commander-in-Chief: —
* Dr. Middleton, to whom Mr. Wilberforce introduced Sir Samford.
X
306 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Sir Samford Whittingham to the Hon. Sir
Edward Paget.
* Choweinghee, IQth February, 1823.
'My dear General, — Lieutenant Colonel Marley* has
mentioned to me your truly kind intentions of employ-
ing my very weak means, but most excellent good will.
I shall be delighted to be made useful in any way you
may think proper ; and to merit your approbation will
be ever my highest ambition. I have taken the liberty
of enclosing a sketch of the information I ought to have
been able to lay before you on your arrival, if I had
been really the Quartermaster-General of the Indian
army. Would you have the condescension to point
out to me anything I have omitted, or to suggest any
other arrangement that may appear to you better ? It
is true I am now but a cypher, but should the chance
of war ever render me effective under your command,
I should be most anxious to be enabled to anticipate
your general ideas, as well as to implicitly obey your
commands.
' I fear this crazy machine of mine wiU again deprive
me of the honour of dining with you. Nicholson talks
of bleeding and medicining again to-morrow ; but no
bodily illness that leaves my reason free will ever pre-
vent my employing myself in the execution of your
orders.
' I have the honour to be, with the most profound re-
spect, ' My dear General,
' Your most devoted servant,
' Samford Whittingham.*
' General tlie Hon. Sir Edward Paget,
* Commander-in-Chief, G.C.B., &c. &c.'
* Colonel Marley was tlie Military Secretary of Sir Edward Paget, and
head of his Personal Staff.
SIR EDWARD PAGET'S FLATTERING PROPOSAL. 307
On the 19th February, he mentions to Mr. Davis the
intention of Sir Edward Paget to employ him ' in draw-
ing up a general state of India at present, particularly as
to the military department. He has let me know that
he does not mean to take the merit of the expose him-
self, but to send it to the Duke of York as mine. And
he has been pleased to add that he knows nobody more
capable of executing a plan of such high importance.'
On the 24th March, 1823, he writes: 'We have re-
ceived the accounts of the nomination of Lord Amherst
as Governor-General.' On the 4th April he tells his
brother-in-law ' I am on the point of setting off with the
Commander-in-Chief, on a visit to the Governor-General.'
He adds a sentence worthy of record, as regards its bear-
ing on a stormy future, then approaching : ' Sir Edward
and Mr. Adam' [the temporary Governor-General] ' are
perfect models of what rulers should be. God grant the
new Governor may harmonize with all their feelings, and
fully co-operate with all their measures. A hundred mil-
lions of souls, and an army of 250,000 men are weighty
concerns to be arranged by such men as the East India
Directors. If this were a Yice-Eoyalty under the King's
government, it would be the brightest jewel in the
crown; the most powerful Colony that ever existed in
the -world.'
For the long and many letters describing his tour
with his Chief in Bengal, from July to December, there
is not space even for extracts. He was all this time
(besides keeping up a voluminous correspondence with
Mr. Davis) making himself, practically as well as theo-
retically, thoroughly acquainted with the great Indian
Empire in all its bearings ; and his pleasant intercourse
with his Chief was daily ripening into the warmest per-
sonal friendship, as well as mutual official esteem.
Though Quartermaster-General, Sir Edward insisted on
his living with him on the tour like one of his personal
X 2
308 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTlxVGHAM.
staff; thus adding to his comfort and lessening his ex-
penses.* They visited Patna, Gazeepoor, Cawnpore,
Futtyghiir, and Agra.
His letters to his brother contain graphic pictures of
an Indian Commander-in-Chief's tour through the pro-
vinces. Two sentences must suffice to give an idea of
accounts which would fill a volume : —
' 2nd Nov[_ember^ 1823.] — Unless I were to copy one
of the stories of the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, it
would be very difficult for me to convey even a tolerably
just idea of the fete of last night given by the King of
Oude to Sir Edward Paget.'
After describing the almost incredible splendours of
the entertainment, the profusion of jewels and precious
metals, and all the forms and ceremonies and magnificent
presents, he thus winds up his account : — ' I have never
before witnessed so enchanting a scene. No description
in Lalla-Eookh exceeds the reality of what we saw, and
only such a pen as Moore's could paint the delightful
illusion of this fairy fete ! The King did. the honours of
the reception with dignified ease, and his benign and
good countenance well became the costly diamonds and
lovely pearls with which his head and neck and arms
and hands were ornamented. His dress was a shawl
pelisse of inestimable value, and his whole appearance
truly magnificent.
' Sir Edward Paget's noble and handsome countenance,
the emblem of every manly virtue, did honour to the
distinction he was receiving, and completely filled up the
picture, by a living demonstration that there is no real
greatness but that which has virtue for its basis. I have
never, in the course of my long wanderings, met with
any man approaching so near to perfection as a soldier, a
gentleman, and a Christian.'
* The Commander-in-Chief at that time had more than £16,000 a year.
WRETCIIEB STATE OF MILITARY MEANS. 309
In the beginning of 1824 Sir Edward Paget, now on
his tour, was encamped at Meerut. In a long letter to
his usual correspondent, dated Meerut, 20th February,
Sir Samford relates how he had offered his services to
Sir Edward for an expected Burmese Campaign, no en-
viable command, considering the terrible climate. ' He
replied, " Where I go, you shall go, and you never shall
be separated from me.'" Few things in this life have ever
given me more pleasure. It is and has been ever my
utmost ambition to merit the esteem and confidence of
this model of everything that is great and good.'
On the 20th March Sir Samford returned to Calcutta.
There he and his Chief were busy making preparation'
for the Burmese war. Whilst at Calcutta Sir Samford
received a letter dated 'Fyzabad, May 1824,' from his
young friend Mr. (now Lord) William Godolphin Os-
borne* (who had at one time been his guest), giving a
long account of a very successful, exciting, and dangerous
tiger hunt. His friendship for Mr. Osborne lasted for life,
as did their occasional correspondence.
If our Indian empire can now be considered safe, it is
because many of the reforms considered indispensable by
Sir Edward Paget and Sir Samford Whittingham have
been introduced since the faulty old system came to an
end with the great Indian Mutiny.
On the 17th May, 1824, he reports the commencement
of the Burmese War, and also adds the following sen-
tence, ominous of that coming mutiny, which, if Sir Ed-
ward had met it with the coaxing and rose-water system
by which the articles of war were then constantly diluted
for the benefit of the natives, might have anticipated in
its horrors its successor of thirty-three years later. ' The
new regulations have curtailed the allowances of this
* In 1832 he became Honourable^ on Lis father being created Lord Go-
dolphin ; and in 1859 he obtained the title of Lord, on the succession of his
brother to the Dukedom of Leeds.
310 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
[the Bengal] army, to such an extent that the highest
discontent prevails throughout. If they are carried into
effect, you will, I fear, hear of very serious conse-
quences.' On the 20th he gives his brother-in-law some
details of the progress of the Burmese War, and of the
excitement and even anxiety in India.
On the 10th May he had written : ' You will be
pleased to hear, entre nous, that Sir Edward Paget has
been pleased to honour me with his complete and un-
reserved confidence. He calls for me every morning at
daylight in his open carriage, and we ride alone till the
sun obliges us to retire.'
' To his Brother-in-law.
' Calcutta, 10th June, 1824.
' I wrote to you yesterday, enclosing a letter to Sir
Herbert Taylor, giving some account of our late proceed-
ings. But it is impossible to convey a just idea of the
state to which we are reduced as to military preparation,
without entering into details too minute for the contents
of a letter. Suffice it to say that we have not a single
twelve-pound shot in the arsenal, and that we are 700
gun carriages short of our present wants !
' Sir Edward has given up the organization of the
flotilla to Commodore Hayes and myself. By the end of
this month we shall, I trust, have thirty gunboats and
twelve armed brigs completely equipped, manned and
armed, and soon after complete our number of gunboats
to a hundred.'
On the 30th June he writes : ' The work of this month
has been great, and we are fast recovering from the state
of weakness we were in when I last wrote ; ' and he
proceeds to enumerate the details.
He had still hopes that Sir Edward Paget was about*
to take the field in person in Burmah, and longed for
SLIGHT TENURE OF INDIA. 311
active service as a field for military distinction. On tlie
1st August he writes : ' The season has been uncommonly
sickly. Not five people out of one hundred have escaped
fever : but the mortahty has been trilling in comparison
to the number who have been ill. The three great
smokers of Calcutta, viz., Sir Edward Paget, Laruletta,*
and myself, have escaped, probably owing to the abun-
dance and the goodness of our cigars. I long for the
campaign to open ; I shall then have something to write
about.'
The Burmese War was eventually satisfactorily con-
cluded by Sir Archibald Campbell, without the personal
intervention of the Commander-in-Chief.
To his Brother-in-law.
^ Calcutta, 20^A September, 1824.
' Sir Edward Paget has been pleased to say that I was
the only person in India from whom he had derived
comfort and support, and to whom he could unbosom
himself freely, openly, and without reserve. He has been
pleased to honour me with his friendship and fullest con-
fidence ; and I feel more proud than I can express at
having obtained the esteem of this best model of what a
man should be !
' The longer I stay in India, the more I am convinced
of the correct truth of all my former statements to you.
The country hangs upon a thread. The slightest reverse
would set the whole in a flame ; and you have not the
smallest hold upon any class of inen in all your vast
Indian dominions^ except that which immediately derives
from the opinion^ or rather the conviction^ that your bay-
onets and sabres are superior to theirs.'^ The Indian army
* A well-known merchant of Calcutta.
t It is evident that the great Indian mutiny, had he survived to hear of
it, would not have surprised Sir Samford Whittingham.
312 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTIXGHAM.
must become, and that speedily, a King's army, the nmn-
ber of officers must be greatly increased, and the broken
spirit of both officers and men regenerated.'
The month of October continued to give the Quarter-
master-General abundance of work in preparing the ex-
pedition to Ava of the Commander-in-Chief, with a force
of irresistible strength, should the prolonged resistance
of the Burmese require it.
November, 1824, opened in a melancholy manner,
with the Mutiny of Barrackpore. There is no space here
for the discussion of that vexed question. The infatuated
adherents of the Indian coaxing system, whose eyes even
the great crisis of 1857 has failed to open, and who
would still employ rose-water to put down open rebel-
lions, are impervious to the arguments of reason and
experience ; and especially to the imperative necessities
of military discipline. In affairs of government, civilians,
though subjects, may and must be listened to and
reasoned with ; but soldiers must be silent and obey, or
the army becomes a mere rabble, more dangerous to its
friends than to its enemies, as was proved in 1857.
Whether a Government be despotic, constitutional or re-
publican, does not affect this rule.
As the dear friend of Sir Edward Paget, and as an
officer who ever considered obedience as the chief duty
of a soldier, it is needless to say that Sir Samford Whit-
tingham sympathized fully with his Chief, who not with-
out great reluctance, and even anguish of mind, trod out
the dangerous mutiny of Barrackpore in the most decisive
manner.
It appears that Sir Samford was employed to send in a
brief report of this mutiny and of its suppression, for the
information of the Governor-General's secretary ; at least
so the Editor interprets the following copy (written in
SIR SAMFORD'S REPORT OF THE MUTINY. 313
Sir SamforcVs hand), of the original, which he wrote on
the occasion ; and which copy bears no address to show
to whom it was written : —
(Private and Confidential.)
^ Barrackpore, 5th November, 1824.
' Dear Sir, — The Commander-in-Chief, being extremely-
occupied at the present moment, has requested me to
commilnicate for your information the following detail of
a daring mutiny which broke out amongst the Sepoy bat-
talions at this station on the 1st instant.
' The 26th, 47th, and 62nd Eegiments of Bengal Native
Infantry were under orders for foreign service, and were
to march to Chittagong from this cantonment succes-
sively, with an interval of two days between the time of
their respective departures.
' On the 1st of this month, it was officially reported to
His Excellency that the 47th Native Infantry had re-
fused to march, and that they were in a state of open
mutiny.
' The Commander-in-Chief proceeded immediately to
Barrackpore in the hopes that his presence might pro-
duce some effect upon the mutineers. But they continued
firm in their determination, and it became necessary to
have recourse to coercive measures to bring them to
reason.
'Before twelve at night, the Eoyals,* H.M.'s 47th
Eegiment, the Governor-General's body-guard, and a
battery of field artillery, had arrived, and were assembled
in the park at Barrackpore.
' At daybreak two battalions N.I. ; H.M.'s 47th, and
the body-guard with its gallopers,f were formed on the
* H.M.'s First Regiment of the line is called the ^Royals.'
t Galloper guns, as they were called, were formerly attached to all regi-
ments of cavalry in India.
314 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
left of the cantonment. The Eoyals, and the battery of
field artillery drew up in the rear of the huts of the
mutineers.
'During the night 160 men of the 62nd [Native In-
fantry] went over to the mutineers, together with twenty-
four men of the 26th [N.I.] ; both taking their colours
with them.
' The mutineers formed on the parade of the 47th N.L,
in front of their own lines.
'The Commander-in-Chief, who was with the troops
on the left, had formed the hope that the imposing atti-
tude of so large a force would have been sufficient to over-
awe the mutineers, without having recourse to extreme
measures. But, being disappointed in that expectation,
he sent the Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General
of the [Bengal] army, accompanied by his Persian inter-
preter, and the Colonel of the 47th N.I. to intimate to
the mutineers, that, unless they laid down their arms, and
surrendered at discretion, they would be immediately at-
tacked. The Adjutant-General* ordered them to ground
their arms. They refused to obey, and expressed their
resolution to resist force by force.
'At the signal of two guns fired from the left, the
battery in the rear of the mutineers opened, and the
Eoyals advanced up the road which led to their right
flank. At the same time, the whole line on the left ad-
vanced.
' In less than iive minutes the mutineers were broken,
and the dispersion was so complete that not two men
were to be found together. They threw away their arms,
stripped themselves of their military insignia, and fled in
* It was afterwards discovered that tlie Adjutant-General of the Bengal
army (a Colonel) had received a petition from the mutineers before he
came on parade, and had put it into his pocket, instead of giving it at
once to the Commander-in-Chief. It contained a list of their grievances,
and miffhtj if listened to, have averted the destruction of the mutineers.
SIE SAMFORD'S REPORT OF THE MUTINY. 315
all directions. A considerable number were killed, and
more taken prisoners. Of these latter, numbers are con-
stantly [being brought] in.
'A court-martial was immediately assembled. Forty
of the prisoners were tried and condemned. Six were
executed yesterday morning. The punishment of the
other thirty-four the Commander-in-Chief has been pleased
to commute into exile and hard labour for life in chains.
' The court-martial is still sitting, and will continue so
to do till all the prisoners shall have been tried.
' These misguided men appear to have had no real
grounds of complaint to palliate their misconduct. They
had stated that the means of transport for their effects
were not sufficient ; and ten bullocks per company were
assigned [to them]. They had been told, they said, that
they were to be embarked : but the Commander-in-Chief
assured them he had never thought of such a thing ; and
that no Bengal sepoy should ever be embarked, under
his command, except as a volunteer.
' It is to be apprehended that much blame attaches to
the Native officers of the battalion ; and it is feared that
a dislike to the war against the Burmese had also its in-
fluence upon the sepoy.
' The Commander-in-Chief is still at Barrackpore, where
he will probably remain till the 26th and 62nd [N.I.
regiments] have broken ground for their destination.
' I have the honour to be, dear Sir,
' Your most obedient servant,
'SaMFORD WHITTmGHAM.'
About nine years later, the falsehoods of an anony-
mous calumniator in the ' Meerut Observer,' were refuted
in the following letter, which is here given in order to
finish at once with the affair of the mutiny.
From the ' Meerut Observer,' of Thursday, 18th April,
1833 :—
316 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
To the Editor of the ' Meerutt* Ohserve7\'
' Sir, — On the first report whicli Sir Edward Paget
received of the mutiny at Barrackpore, he proceeded
tliither without a moment's delay. On his arrival he
found the mutineers in open insurrection. Every effort
was made, during that evening and the ensuing night, to
induce the misguided men to return to their duty, but
in vain. During the night, the colours of two other
regiments, with detachments from each, joined the muti-
neers. At daybreak the next morning they were under
arms, and the force at the disposal of Sir Edward Paget
was drawn up within full view. Sir Edward then made
another attempt to convince them of their error. The
General commanding the division, the Adjutant, and
Quartermaster-Generals of the army, the Persian inter-
preter, and the Commanding Officer of the regiment were
sent in a body to the mutineers, and directed to state to
them that, " if they would lay down their arms and sub-
mit their claims to the justice of the Commander-in-Chief,
they should be immediately investigated and attended to,
and their past conduct forgiven and forgotten ; but that
it was impossible for the Commander-in-Chief to treat
with armed soldiers." The deputation returned with the
report that the men would listen to nothing ; and it was
then only that Sir Edward ordered the signal gun to be
fired, and the line to advance.
' The very instant the line of the mutineers broke. Sir
Edward ordered the firing to cease, and directed the
Quartermaster-General of the King's troops to proceed at
speed to Colonel Armstrong, commanding the Eoyals,
with orders that all pursuit should be stopped. The
Colonel, and the Quartermaster-General of the King's
troops rode forward to the front of the Light Company of
the 47th and Eoyals, and made every exertion in their
* Meerut, it appears, was formerly spelt Meerutt by the press of India.
SUBSEQUENT DEFENCE OF SIR EDWARD PAGET. 317
power to stop the firing, in which they succeeded in a
very short time, and brought the Light Company back.*
' The anonymous writer in your paper of yesterday, in
what he says of an officer of high rank in His Majesty's
service, sniping the sepoys, &c., is guilty of an infamous
falsehood, and only screens himself from the punishment
he deserves, by concealing his name.
' The name of the author of this answer to the vile
attack upon the character of Sir Edward Paget, contained
in the 'Meerutt Observer' of the 11th April, is lodged
with the Editor, and will be given on application.
' Meekut, 12th April, 1833.'
This refutation was written by Sir Samford when in
command at Meerut. It remained without an answer,
and proves — what no one who knew Sir Edward Paget,
and Sir Samford Whittingham doubted — that there was
no desire on their parts to use more severity than was
absolutely necessary for the occasion. By riding in front
of the angry British soldiers who were firing at the muti-
neers, Sir Samford proved the sincerity of his exertions,
at the evident risk of his life, as did Colonel Armstrong,
the commanding officer of those soldiers.
Two more extracts from his letters to Mr. Davis will
fill all the space that can be spared for the year 1824 : —
' Calcutta^ 12th December. — I am very anxious to know
whether Lord William Bentinck comes out to this country
as Governor-General or not ? It would certainly be a
pleasant thing to meet my old commander ; and I love
to hope that he would have no objection to having me
again under his orders.
' 24:th Deceynher^ 1824. — We have received Sir Archi-
bald Campbell's dispatches, with the account of a com-
plete victory gained by him over the Burmese. The
* Probably, picked men of the two regiments had on this occasion been
formed into one Light Company.
318 MEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
victory was rapid and decisive : 5,000 men were left on
the field ; 240 pieces of cannon fell into our hands ; and
the whole army of the enemy dispersed and fled.
' Sir Alexander Campbell, the Commander-in-Chief at
Madras, is dead. His loss will be greatly felt. He was
a most able man, and a most honourable soldier ; and his
zeal to meet Sir Edward's wishes, in everything con-
cerned with this war, had been conspicuous throughout.
When I saw him two years ago at Madras, he was
healthy and strong, and really a wonderful man for his
time of life, upwards of seventy. But the last rains and
heats had tried the strongest constitutions, and sent many
a wanderer to his long home.'
Seventeen years later, the writer of the above words,
a greater wanderer still, was to close his career at the
same place and in the same command !
The truly voluminous correspondence of Sir Samford
Whittingham was for the first four months of 1825 full
of the Burmese war, in which he had hoped at one time
to have taken an active part. But Sir Edward Paget, as
we have seen, could not spare the man who had become
the real though not nominal Chief of his Staff, as well as
his confidant, counsellor, and general secretary. Colonel
Patrick Paget, Sir Edward's surviving military son, was
as much astonished as the Editor of this work, on search-
ing the contents of a large and heavy box of papers left
by Sir Edward (containing apparently the whole of his
correspondence either in original or in copies) to find
that one third at least of the writings were either letters
or memoranda written by Sir Samford Whittingham, or
at least, in his handwriting. When the Adjutant-General
of Bengal and the Adjutant-General of the King's army
charged each other, pen in hand, with a considerable
amount of faults on both sides, the task of preparing the
letter of the Chief blaming both, was evidently given to
the Quartermaster-General of the King's troops. The
THE 'ALTER EGO' OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 319
copy of the letter found has the appearance of being the
first draft of the intended dispatch, and it is all in Sir
Samford's handwriting, and was afterwards marked as
copy. If thus fully consulted in so delicate a matter, it
may easily be conceived how he was entrusted with the
ordinary special correspondence of an able commander,
who disliked writing (though he could write so well) and
was moreover unable, from the loss of his arm, to write
much. In fact Sir Samford became, without exaggeration
his right hand, his alter ego, and that aid which most
chiefs seek almost equally from their principal staff
officers was here sought and found in all important mat-
ters from one alone.
Sir Herbert Taylor* to Sir S. Whittingham.
' Horse-Guards, 3rd April, 1825.
' My dear Sir Samford, — I wished to have thanked you
for your obhging and interesting letter of the 18th July,
at the same time that I wrote to Sir Edward Paget, whose
letter dated in August reached me a few days after
your's. But I was so hurried at the time, and have been
since, by the additional business produced by the aug-
mentations, &c., that I have been unable to keep up my
general correspondence so regularly as at other times.
' I showed your letter to the Commander-in-Chief, and
he received great pleasure from the satisfactory report
it contained of the change produced in our military
situation and prospects by the ability, zeal, and intelli-
gence of your excellent Commander-in-Chief. ,. . . The
general impression, is that you will not proceed much
beyond the frontier on the eastern side ; and that the
operations against the Burmese will be confined to those
of Sir Archibald Campbell's force, and possibly to an
attack upon Arracan. I sincerely hope that these may
* Then Military Secretary to tlie Duke of York.
320 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
suffice to bring to a speedy termination this unsatisfactory
and unprofitable war ; so destructive to our best men,
from the effects of chmate and the deficiency of whole-
some food. I know not what the feeling may be in
India ; but here the war is most unpopular, and all are
grumbling.
*******
' Our friend Torrens is in better health than he had
been some time ago, though still not well and very thin.
' Beheve me to be ever, my dear Sir Samford,
' Most sincerely yours,
' H. Taylor.'
On the 20th June Sir Samford records the illness of
Sir Edward Paget, and that, though less severe, of Lord
Amherst. On the 22nd June he writes : — ' Sir Edward
Paget's health still continues, I am sorry to say, in a very
alarming state. But pray keep this to yourself, lest it
should get to the ear of Lady Harriet. I am most anxious
to get him on board ship as quickly as possible.'
' 2ith June, — In a few days I am going on the river
with Sir Edward Paget. I hope it may prove beneficial
to his health. I am very anxious about him : for I think
I never saw a man so completely shaken by climate.
' Sir Edward wall not delay his departure a single un-
necessary day after the arrival of Lord Combermere.
Lord Combermere will not find India a bed of roses.
To suffer as Sir Edward has done, however, he must
possess the same exquisite sensibility, and the same ex-
treme, anxious desire to do his duty.'
In a letter dated Calcutta, 31st July 1825, consisting of
thirteen pages of foolscap paper, Sir Samford gives Mr.
Davis a summary of all the improvements introduced,
and of the benefits conferred by Sir Edward Paget during
his command, of which only a few sentences can be here
quoted : —
ADVICE FOLLOWED AFTER FORTY YEARS. 321
' I do not, however, by any means assert that the
Bengal army is what it should be. The moral of the
army is deeply affected, and a general spirit of insubor-
dination pervades the whole. The want of a sufficient
number of European officers with the battalions is uni-
versally felt ; and the dependence of the sepoy upon his
commanding officer has been destroyed, by making,
during the whole of the late administration, the head-
quarters of the Commander-in-Chief, the only source of
either reward or punishment.
' The mistaken lenity of Lord Hastings's administra-
tion has engendered a spirit of reasoning, and a fervour
of writing throughout the whole mass ; and this spirit is
too much fomented by the system of promotion by seni-
ority, whilst it gives tlie officers mistaken notions of their
own independence, shuts the door to the exertions of
genius, and makes a good constitution and a long life the
only objects of ambition.
' I do not mean to say that these and other evils have
been remedied. They are of too serious a nature to be
cured by anything short of making the Indian army a
King's army, and the Indian Government a King's go-
vernment. Bat I do assert, and I am borne out by the
facts, that the present Commander-in-Chief, supported
by the Government, has done more for the tranquillity
and security of India during this year of his administra-
tion, than has ever been done with the same means
in the same given space of time. And I am bold to
say that no man could, under existing circumstances,
have effected more important changes in our military
state, and in that of the country at large than he has
done.'
It required the Indian mutiny of 1857 to convince
our statesmen of the necessity of those reforms and al-
terations which, thirty-two years previously. Sir Edward
Paget and Sir Samford Whittingham had deemed in-
Y
322 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
dispensable to the security and good government of our
Indian empire.
On the 1st of August, 1825, Sir Samford expresses his
indignation to Mr. Davis at the news from England of the
abuse then directed at the conduct of Sir Edward Paget,
whose plain speaking and writing had deeply offended the
great Company in Leadenhall Street, whilst the nation
was disgusted with the Governor-General on account of
the Burmese war. Sir Samford' s letter in defence of
his friend resembles a small pamphlet.* Even up to this
date he writes : ' Lord Amherst and the Commander-in-
Chief have ever been upon the best and most friendly
terms ; ' and he mentions the unanimity of the Council of
Lidia as quite extraordinary.
On the 14th September, after long details of the progress
of the Burmese war, he writes : ' The Rajah of Bhurtpore^
the Eajah of Alwar, and the Eanee of Jeypore have all
disputes with this Government, which I think will only be
decided by the sword. The sooner we begin the better.'
' Calcutta, 7th October, 1825. — On the 3rd of this
month we received the long-expected brevet, having come
out it appears on the 27th May, the day you had men-
tioned in your letters of the 12th and 13th May.f The
same day arrived Lord Combermere, our new Com-
mander-in-Chief.
' Yesterday Sir Edward Paget sent in his resignation,
and to-day Lord Combermere will be sworn into his new
command.'
'23rd October. — I have written the inclosed to our
dear friend ' [Sir William Knighton], ' on the subject of
his nephew, Mr. Seymour. J I assure you I shall be
* This letter Mr. Davis sent to Lord Liverpool, as will be seen hereafter.
t This brevet made Sir Samford at last a general officer in the British
service.
X Captain James Seymour, 88th Regiment, son to the late and brother to
the present Admiral Sir Michael Seymour. Sir Samford had promised to
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LORD COMBERMERE. 323
delighted to have this opportunity of manifesting to a
person I so much esteem my grateful feelings for all
his kindness. I do not enter more into this subject,
from having fully done so in the inclosed letter.
' What I have seen of Lord Combermere I hke much.
He is open and plain in his communications, and has
exerted himself in my favour as far as in him lay. I
have no doubt we shall soon become well acquainted.*
' Sir Edward Paget has amongst his other most excel-
lent qualities, that of being an able, a first-rate nego-
tiator. Of all men I have seen, he is the best qualified
to gain an ascendancy over others. His manners are
reserved, mild, and unassuming ; and he never increases
opposition by offending self-love. His temper is natu-
rally violent, but he has learnt to correct it, without in the
least diminishing that firmness of mind which never aban-
dons him for a moment. His judgment is as clear as
it is solid, and he is a beautifully perspicuous military
writer. When he came down to Calcutta from the Upper
Provinces, at the breaking out of the Burmese War, his
influence in Council was absolutely null ; and he was so
hard pressed as to be obliged to ask whether he or Colonel
Casement commanded the army. The opinions of every
fit tie civilian, nay even of Captains in the army, were put
in opposition to his ; and the Commander-in-Chief was to
all intents and purposes a nonentity.
' For many months past, the whole Council have been
with him ; and whatever he has proposed has been will-
ingly and cheerfully acceded to.
make him his aide-de-camp whenever he should obtain a command as a
General.
* Notwithstanding this happy commencement, directly after the depar-
ture of Sir Edward Paget, some persons who had long been jealous of Sir
Saraford's influence, succeeded /or a brief pei'iod, in prejudicing against him
the new Commander-in-Chief.
Y 2
324 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' Sir Edward Paget possesses the singular advantage
which pubKc men always derive from rectitude of in-
tention. In his mind there are no arrieres pensees. His
object is always what it appears to be ; and the measures
he employs, simple, clear, and honest. He is, in every
sense of the expression, an English gentleman.'
Before Sir Edward left India, he presented Sir Samford
with a beautiful roan-coloured Cape horse, called ' the
Admiral,' of great value ; and also with a huge and mag-
nificent silver hookah, with two gold mouthpieces, and
other presents. And Sir Samford gave to Sir Edward the
beautiful mosaic box which he had received from the
King of Spain.
His best friend was now about to leave him, having
taken his passage in the 'Madras^' to sail for England,
leaving Lord Combermere to reap the fruit of his pre-
decessor's labours.*
' Calcutta^ Sth November^ 1825. — I accompanied Sir
Edward Paget to Diamond Harbour, where I had post-
horses waiting for me, and returned to Calcutta, on the
3rd. The '''Madras " got to sea on the 5th. God send her
a speedy and prosperous passage. On the 11th I shall
leave this for Agra, Ddk^ which is our mode of posting.
You travel in a palanquin, and are carried by four men,
who are relieved at short stages. I shall reach Agra
in about ten days. My horses went off on the 5th. My
heavy baggage goes by water. Lord Combermere leaves
this on the 19th. Every day from the 11th to the end of
this month will be filled up by different officers of the
Staff proceeding Dak to the same destination. The army
will be assembled on the 1st December. Eighteen bat-
* It is said that all the preparations for taking Bhiirtpore having been
made before Lord Comberraere's arrival, Sir Edward was recommended,
as senior officer, not to resign till after the fall of the fortress ! But he
deemed it his duty to resign at once, and did so.
LETTER TO SIR EDWARD PAGET. 325
talions, forty squadrons, a hundred and ten pieces of
heavy artillery, two regiments of horse-artillery, besides
an ample field train.'
He himself, till a vacancy on the Staff of Generals
took place, retained, by leave from the Horse-Guards,
his post as Quartermaster-General of the Eoyal army ;
but Bengal custom gave the Quartermaster-General of the
local army the general authority, though a very junior
officer ; and therefore it was with a heavy heart, having
no scope for his abilities, that he hastened to swell the
Staff of the new Commander-in-Chief He had the more
time to note and describe the siege, and send home the
accounts of a conquest, to the mighty preparations for
which, as will be proved hereafter, he had himself greatly
contributed, by his ceaseless labours, whilst under the
command of Sir Edward Paget. The whole of the siege
is described in his journal-hke letters, from the beginning
of December 1825 to the 6th February 1826 ; but we
will conclude this chapter with part of another letter to
his great and faithful friend : —
Sir Sam ford Wliittingham to the Eon. Sir Edward
Paget.
(Extract.)*
* Agka, 24^7t November, 1825.
'My dear General, — I left Calcutta on the 11th, at
four p.m., and arrived here yesterday morning at eight
a.m., nothing fatigued with the journey, thanks to your
tonjon, which is certainly a great relief from the recum-
bent position of the palanquin.
' It is calculated that we shall commence our advance
* The original letter of successive dates fills twelve sheets of foolscap !
The military news and opinions it contains, regarding the siege of Bhurtpore,
would too much lengthen this work by its insertion.
326 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
about the 15th December. Our battery train is superb;
144 pieces of heavy ordnance. They are advancing at
present upon one road, and the length of the column
extends to fourteen miles !
'To your unparalleled efforts in the good cause we
are indebted for all the noble means we possess of bring-
ing this contest to a speedy and happy issue. I only
lament that another should pluck those laurels which so
justly and truly belong to you
' 1st December. — Lord Combermere arrived this morn-
ing at five. Hostilities recommenced with the Burmese
on the 10th of November. The two crores of rupees
were insisted upon, and refused. Lord Combermere has
entered his protest against continuing a war so fraught
with difficulties and sacrifices of every kind upon any
such ground. It is remarkable that both Commanders-
in-Chief should have exactly coincided in their views of
the Burmese War. A few days will, I hope, set us down
before Bhurtpore.' [After narrating that Sir Charles
Metcalfe, acting Governor-General, was coming to Muttra
immediately, he adds :] ' Lord Combermere proceeds
thither to-morrow.'
The long letter, from which the above is extracted, also
acquainted Sir Edward Paget with an incident which im-
plied great coldness on the part of Lord Combermere to
Sir Samford Whittingham ; the result of prejudices in-
stilled into him by those officers who were jealous, (and
naturally so) of the great confidence which Sir Edward
had always displayed in Sir Samford, and of the latter's
consequent power and influence. Lord Combermere
could not then know how spontaneously Sir Edward
Paget had acted, in making the King's Quartermaster-
General his principal Stafi* officer ; and that it in no way
resulted from any ambitious strivings on the part of the
subordinate. His Lordship indeed, probably, only de-
LORD COMBERMERE'S COLDNESS TO SIR SAMFORD. 327
sired to make Sir Samford understand, that his excep-
tional position was at an end, and that in future he must
restrict himself to the duties of the King's Quartermaster-
General. At all events that coldness was destined, ere
long, to be exchanged for a friendly confidence, both in
private and public matters ; as will hereafter be proved to
the satisfaction of the reader.
328 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE XV.
* 1826.
SIE SAMFOED RECEIVES A CONTTJSION AT THE SIEGE OF BHTJRTPORE —
HIS NARROW ESCAPE — EXTRAORDINARY VALOFR OF LIEUT. CAINE — DE-
FENCE OF SIR EDWARD PAGET — AN INVALUABLE INTELLECT — A SATIS-
FACTORY LETTER — A MEERUT SCANDAL — A MEERUT DUEL— COOLNESS
UNDER FIRE CONSIDERED CRIMINAL — EFFECTS OF A MASTERLY LETTER —
SLOW POSTS CAUSED LUDICROUS RESULTS — ILL HEALTH OF THE DUKE
OF YORK — SIR HERBERT TAYLOR'S EULOGISTIC LETTER — DEFECTIVE
MILITARY ORGANIZATION IN INDIA — INCREASE OF EUROPEAN FORCE
NECESSARY FROM THE INSUBORDINATION OF NATIVE SOLDIERS — SIR
EDWARD PAGET's GENEROUS LETTER TO EARL BATHURST — HOW THE
MEANS WERE CREATED FOR TAKING BHURTPORE.
Eestricted space will not permit much quotation from
the long journal-hke letters which, with accurate plans,
Sir Samford Whittingham transmitted to his brother-in-
law and Sir Herbert Taylor, respecting the siege of
Bhurtpore. Indeed the task would be superfluous, in
consequence of the publication of Lord Combermere's
Memoirs. A few extracts will suffice : —
' \Mi January^ 1826. — In going to the batteries this
mormng, a spent ball from a matchlock struck the calf
of my leg ; and obliged me to come home in a doolee*
I should not have mentioned this trifling circumstance,
but as it has made me very lame, it will probably
confine me to my tent for a day or two, and thus
* A. fragment of a Calcutta newspaper of 1826, concludes a paragraph
about Bhurtpore thus : * A letter of the 15th, we are sorry to observe,
states that Sir Samford Whittingham had been wounded in the leg by a
matchlock ball, but the wound was not of a serious nature.'
A NARROW ESCAPE. 329
prevent my being present at what may take place for
that time.
'I must, however, mention a providential escape I
had on my return. A little to the right of the old
mortar battery, the doolee, in which four men were
carrying me, was stopped for a moment, by a Major
Hunter, of the Bengal Infantry, a friend of mine, to en-
quire how I was. A servant who followed him stopped
just before my doolee, and whilst Hunter was speaking
to me, a cannon ball took off the servant's head, exactly
where the doolee would have been had not Hunter ar-
rested my progress a moment before.
' Ibth January. — My leg is better but still very painful,
particularly when I attempt to move. It shall not, how-
ever, prevent my doing my duty to-morrow to the best of
my ability.'
On the 18th January, he records the final springing of
the great mine, and the assault and capture of Bhurtpore.
One of the officers who most distinguished himself at this
siege, Lieutenant Caine of the 14th regiment, was after-
wards selected by Sir Samford Whittingham for his own
aide-de-camp. Already distinguished in previous Indian
wars, he on this occasion eclipsed his former feats of
valour. Leaping across a ditch, where his British soldiers
were unable at once to follow, he found himself opposed
single-handed to three of the -enemy. Of these he de-
stroyed two with his double-barrelled pistol, then closing
with the third, and finding that his sword could make no
impression on his armour, he hurled him by main force
over the rampart into the ditch ! Lieutenant Caine was
also the first officer up at the taking of the Khumbeer
Gate, which was carried by him with about thirty men of
the 14th.*
* Vide Appendix C for Sir Samford Whittingham's official letter to
Lord Combermere^ on tlie services of Lieutenant Caine.
330 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
To his Brother-in-law,
* Head Quakteks, Camp before Bhuetpore,
<Q,th February, 1^2^.
' Yesterday evening the young Eajah was installed in
due form ; and this morning the principal bastions and
curtains of the fortress were blown up. It would perhaps
have been more civil to have sprung the mines first, and
have installed His Highness afterwards.
' I am daily persecuted with an access of fever, which
all Dr. Burke's skill cannot get rid of; and which he
attributes to too much exertion before the leg was well.
Change of air will be the best remedy, and at the close
of the campaign, I mean to go to the hills. Don't be
uneasy on my account. I shall be quite well agahi
very shortly.'
In a letter dated Meerut, 28th March, 1826, and ad-
dressed to Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor, Ad-
jutant-General at the Horse-Guards, he enters into a long
and eloquent defence of Sir Edward Paget, against the
accusations of Lord Amherst, on which it is here need-
less to enter further than to say that it was considered
equally clear and convincing by those to whom it was
addressed.
In the course of the spring Sir Samford must have re-
ceived a letter from Sir Edward Paget, dated St. Helena,
15th January, 1826, full of the most affectionate ex-
pressions of regard.
The following two letters probably reached India in
the course of June. The second, forwarded to him by
his brother-in-law, referred to Sir Samford's defence of
the Bengal Government • —
LETTER OF SIR WILLIAM KNIGHTON, 331
Sir William Knighton to Si?' Sam ford Whittingham.
' London, IQth January ^ 1826.*
' My dear Friend, — This will be put into your hands by
Captain James Seymour, the second son of Sir Michael
Seymour, and I can safely recommend him to you, not
only for his own worth, but for the affection you bear
towards me. The King takes a great interest in Sir
Michael Seymour's family, who is the Captain of His
Majesty's own yacht. I mention all this to you, to show
that this young gentleman is not pressed upon you as
an aide-de-camp, w^ithout proportionate feelings and mo-
tives !
' I have read all your different accounts, military and
otherwise. Nothing can be more admirable, or more
like your own invaluable intellect. That the Almighty
may prosper you is the sincere prayer of
' Your affectionate and sincere friend,
' W. Knighton.'
The Earl of Liverpool to Mr. R. H. Davis.
' Fife House, \st February, 1826.
' My dear Sir, — I return you, with many thanks. Sir
Samford Whittingham's letter. I should not have kept
it so long, but I thought it so satisfactory in all respects
that I was anxious to communicate it to the Duke of
Wellington, Mr. Canning, and Mr. Wynne.
' Believe me to be very sincerely yours,
' Liverpool.'
Lord Liverpool doubtless alludes to the voluminous
letter Sir Samford wrote to Mr. Davis on the 1st
August, 1825.
* This letter was written two or three months before Sir William could
have received the promise mentioned in last chapter.
332 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
In the course of this summer, Mr. William Osborne
was again staying as a guest with Sir Samford Whitting-
ham at Meerut. He was at that time a Lieutenant in
the 10th Hussars ; and it would appear that his regiment
must then have been stationed somewhere in Bengal.
Young as he was, he and Sir Samford were already
friends, and in spite of the wildness of his youthful
spirits, his cleverness and amiability made him very
generally a favourite everywhere. The General was a
man so little given to gossip and small talk, that the
Editor cannot resist inserting the following letter on a
youthful escapade^ which gives a graphic specimen of
scenes of frequent occurrence, formerly at least, in Indian
society : —
Sir Samford Whittingham to the Honourable Sir Edward
Paget.
^Meektjt, 2Qth June, 1826.
' My very dear General, — Meerut has been full of his-
tories and scandals for the last week. Captain E. chose
to take offence at a trifling circumstance which took place
at Mrs. M'Combe's, and serious consequences have ensued.
After dining as usual at 4 p.m., we took our ride on the
course. On our returning to M'Combe's* to pass the
evening, we remained smoking our cigars on the plat-
form before the door ; and the ladies, Mrs. M'Combe,
Mrs. P , Mrs. C , and Mrs. E went into Mrs.
M'Combe's verandah dressing-room to arrange their hair.
Osborne and Finucanef passed by on horseback. The
mat-curtain blew up a little on one side ; and they cer-
tainly did commit the heinous sin of looking upon the
fair ladies arranging their hair, but separated from them
by an exterior railing, and certainly without the least idea
of giving offence. For they came running into the party
* Brigadier, commanding the station.
t Finiicane was a Captain of the 14th Regiment.
A MEERUT SCANDAL AND DUEL. 333
— which the ladies immediately joined — and said laugh-
inor :' " You must take care in future to fasten the curtains
of your dressing-rooms, and not put temptation into the
way of the curious." All the ladies laughed — called
them impudent fellows ; — and I declare I had not the
slightest conception that any offence had been given.
' On our entering the drawing-room, however, Captain
E spoke to his wife in the roughest and rudest
manner — told Osborne that he had not behaved hke a
gentleman — and led Mrs. E out of the room. Osborne
called him out the next morning ; and E , by the
advice of his friends, made to Osborne and to Mrs."
M'Combe, a most ample apology. But, in the meantime
Osborne had had the imprudence to write a letter to
Mrs. E , to say that he thought E 's conduct so
constantly unkind and improper with regard to her, that
he would strongly recommend her insisting upon a sepa-
rate maintenance, and returning to her father's house.
This foolish letter took away all our vantage ground, and
placed us in a totally false position. E- called Os-
borne out. Baron Osten was second to Osborne, and
Captain Luard to E . They tossed up for the first
fire. Osborne won it, and fired in the air. E in
very gross language, which left no alternative, insisted
upon going on. They fired together ; Osborne fired wide
of the mark. He had determined on no account to hit
E . E 's ball struck a round cigar-case in Os-
borne's pocket, and, glancing off, passed obliquely through
the side. The seconds interposed, and the affair ended.
The bone has not been touched. He is doing well, and
has promised m.e to leave Meerut for Calcutta, as soon
as he is fit to make the journey. All the ladies in the
place have made a point of visiting Mrs. E ; and
peace having been generally signed, we remain in statu
quo ante bellum, "What great events from trifling causes
spring!"
334 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
'IQth July. — Osborne left us last night on his way-
down to Calcutta. Nobody could have behaved better
than he has done since the affair between him and
E . But an illiberal spirit of persecution has been
raised against him ; and the most ridiculous and ma-
licious reports have been spread abroad to do him in-
jury. One of the attacks against him is founded on
the hardness of the boy's heart ; who had so little of the
fear of death before his eyes, as to continue quietly
smoking his cigar whilst he was receiving E 's hre !
'Lord Combermere has had an attack of fever, and
Colonel Finch, Kelly, Dawkins, Stapleton, and Mundy
have all been ill a second time. In short, Calcutta seems
like one great hospital.
'Ever, &c., &c.,
' SaMFORD WHITTirs^GIIAM.'
Eeturning to his correspondence with Mr. Davis : —
' Meerut, 2ith August. — Day after day rolls on with-
out any arrivals from England. I cannot describe to you
the anxiety with which I wait for the arrival of the post.
You will have heard, ere this letter reaches you, of the
death of Captain Amherst ! A fever of a few days carried
him off. He was universally beloved. His friends are
inconsolable. Lord Amherst is, however, on his passage
up the Ganges ; and Lord Combermere installed as Vice-
President and Deputy Governor-General.'
In this last letter, and in a later one of the 7th Sep-
tember, he is anxiously expecting the arrival of Captain
Seymour, who was to be his aide-de-camp, as soon as he
obtained a General's command, on a vacancy occurring.
Captain Seymour had arrived at Calcutta, but was des-
tined never to meet Sir Sam ford Whittingham.
Sir Edward Paget was now Governor of the Eoyal
SLOW POSTS CAUSE LUDICKOUS RESULTS. 335
Military College at Sandhurst, and the following letter
must have readied Sir Samford near the close of the
year : —
Sir Edward Paget to Sir Samford Whittinglidm.
(Extract.)
' Sandhukst, \Qth June, 1826.
'You will, I am sure, be thoroughly happy to hear
that the reception I have met with in this country has
been, as you foretold^ most flattering and gratifying. A
few months before I arrived in England, there had been
a tremendous hubbub about the ' mutiny at Barrackpore ;
and I verily believe that nothing but the firmness of the
Duke of Welhngton, who took up the cudgels most
manfully, would have kept the Cabinet straight. But
happily the intrigue was defeated ; and I have not
the least doubt, that the masterly letter which you
wrote to Hart Davis in defence of the measures of the
Bengal Government, and which he sent to Lord Liver-
pool, who communicated it to several leading members
of the Cabinet, had a powerful influence upon that deci-
sion. Infinite pains had been taken to make it appear
that Lord Amherst and I were two ;* but I have com-
pletely set this question at rest by taking every oppor-
tunity of defending him and his measures.'
[The slow posts in those days often gave rise to strange
and ludicrous results. Here we find Sir Edward fighting
for a friend, who was now attacking him with all his
strength and interest ! But we must give another ex-
tract from this monster letter of sixteen pages. This
part is written by Lady Harriet Paget, w^ho often relieved
her one-armed husband with the pen.] ' I most heartily
and sincerely rejoice, without one particle of envy —
* The Governor-General had abandoned a supposed fallen cause mean-
time ; a fact, the possibility of which Sir Edward seems never to have
imaj^ined for a moment.
336 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
which you will give me credit for — at the glorious ter-
mination of the siege and assault of Bhurtpore ; and have
but one drawback to my satisfaction, by knowing that
you have received a hurt in the enterprize, by under-
standing from you that the deportment of my successor
towards yourself is most ungracious, and by observing
how careful he has been, in his official report of the
capture of Bhurtpore, not to make too much mention of
you. These things are most galling and distressing to
me.'
[It is needless to quote more of this disagreeable
matter. Lord Combermere had a great respect and re-
gard for Sir Edward Paget ; and his coldness to the
friend of the latter was not destined to be of long con-
tinuance. In this letter, also. Sir Edward describes his
having made the acquaintance of Mr. Davis and his
family, and adds :] ' The return of Hart Davis for Bristol,
in spite of his teeth, is a most unprecedented instance of
attachment and respect, and I long for the opportunity of
congratulating him.'
[Mr. Davis had retired from the contest from motives
of economy, but was re-elected at the expense of liis con-
stituents. The letter continues :] ' You will grieve to
hear that the health of the Duke of York has sadly
declined during the last twelvemonth. Still, if he can be
prevailed upon to take more care of himself, much may
be done. The King gets fonder daily of retirement ; and
it is a rare thing to get a sight of him. I have seen him
but once, about a month ago ; and though much 'in-
creased in bulk, he seemed to be enjoying good health.'
From Sir Herbert Taylor^ Military Secretary.
^ HoKSE-GuAKDS, 1st Au^ust, 1826.
' My dear Sir Samford, — ^Extraordinary pressure of
business has obliged me to delay, much longer than I
had wished or intended, thanking you for your letters of
SIR HERBERT TAYLOR'S EULOGISTIC LETTER. 337
the 8th and 23rd December, and 8th and 16th January,
containmg a detailed and most interesting journal of the
proceedings and operations of Lord Combermere's army-
preparatory to, and during, the siege of Bhurtpore ; and
accompanied by sketches of the ground and positions of
the troops and works. My acknowledgment has, indeed,
been in part delayed by the communication of these
valuable documents to our friend Sir Edward Paget and
others, to whom I felt that I might afford the benefit and
satisfaction of the perusal, after submitting them to the
Commander-in-Chief.
' H.E.H. [the Duke of York] orders me to assure you
of the interest wdth which he has read these clear and
able statements of the important operations which they
describe ; and how sensible he is of the trouble you have
taken in making them, amidst the hurry and pressure of
your avocations, and the share you took in the active
duties arising from the services in which you were
engaged. ... I sent the plans to Sir Edward Paget
and Mr. Hart Davis, as you desired; and the former
caused some beautiful copies to be made of them at the
College.
' I heartily rejoice that you escaped so well, and that
the contusion you received on the 13th from a spent ball
did not prevent your being one of the actors in the
glorious and brilliant scene of the 18th ; to have been
excluded from which would have been truly mortifying.
Although we have to lament the loss of some valuable
officers and men, and however serious we must consider
the loss of such men, it must be admitted that this im-
portant conquest has been achieved at a much less price
than might have been expected, from the nature of the
works and the strength and character of its garrison.
And this advantage is due not only to the vigour and
ability of the operations, but, as you justly observe, also
z
338 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
to the foresiglit and previous arrangements of Sir Edward
Paget.*
' Your letter of the 27th January, which reached me
shortly after the former, fully confirms your anticipations
of the result of the blow struck at Bhurtpore ; and I trust
that its impression will be lasting; at least, that it will
prevent any combination of the native princes, and discou-
rage all attempt to disturb our imperfect administration of
India. I say imperfect, with reference to many measures
of the Company ; and more especially its military system,
so palpably defective, yet so obstinately persisted in. Yet
they cannot plead ignorance : for means are taken to
apprize them of all that reaches us on this subject ; and
Sir Edward Paget has candidly stated to the Chair,t the
opinions which you know him to hold. Of the defective
organization of the commissariat, and of the hospital de-
partment, you have stated ample proof.
' The courts-martial on deserters to the enemy have
evinced the spirit and feehng of the Company's officers.
The inefficiency of their regimental system and arrange-
ments is placed beyond doubt by every return ; and the
consequences of this evil are apparent in the comparative
inferiority of the native troops, and their misconduct on
various occasions, especially in the Burmese war. Never-
theless all this is suffered to continue ; all is sacrificed to
the anxiety to procure patronage. And the security of
that overgrown empire is risked from an obstinate ad-
herence to errors and prejudices.
' It is obvious that the present extent of the Company's
territory, the increase of its native military force, and
above all the spirit of insubordination which has been
manifested by portions of it, require an amalgamation of
European forces. Nevertheless this is strenuously resisted.
* It will shortly be seen what Sir Edward himself thought on this
matter.
t Chairman of the Directors of the East India Company.
GENEROSITY OF SIR EDWARD PAGET. 339
And the opposition of the Court of Directors is encouraged
by some of its officers of distinguished reputation, and
acknowledged talent and experience : who must, there-
fore, be supposed to suffer selfish views and prejudices to
overpower their better judgment
' I am happy to acquaint you that the Duke of York's
health is essentially improved, and I trust that with
proper care H.E.H. will soon recover from every effect
of his serious indisposition ; great weakness and want of
appetite being now the chief evils. Torrens has had the
gout, and been generally out of health, though improved
of late ; but he is grown miserably thin. I am very hard
worked, but neither sick nor sorry ; and my business goes
on satisfactorily. I hope you approve of our recent
arrangements for giving rewards to old officers, and
efficiency to corps by the promotion and removal of
brevet officers. This, and the sale of half-pay, has reno-
vated our ranks. — Believe me to be, with the best wishes
for your w^elfare and success, my dear Sir Samford,
' Most truly and faithfully yours,
' H. Taylor.'
^Major-General Sir Samford Whittingliam, K.C.B.'
The following letter proves that Sir Edward Paget was
a friend in deeds as well as in words. His generosity is
obvious, and needs no comment : —
From Sir Edward Paget to Mr. Davis.
(Extract.)
' Sai^dwell, Birmingham, 12th September, 1826.
' My dear Sir, — ^Your letter of the 6th instant, addressed
to Sandhurst, reached me at Lord Bagot's, at Blithfield,
the day before yesterday ; and I instantly wrote to Lord
Bathurst a letter, of which what follows is an extract.
" Having heard that the two Major-Generals, Eeynell and
Nichols, have been recommended by Lord Combermere
for the honourable distinction of Knights Commanders of
z2
340 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the Bath, I should feel myself guilty of a very great
neglect of duty and friendship, if I omitted to entreat
your Lordship to give a favourable consideration to the
claims of Major-General Sir Samford Whittingham for
admission to the same honour.
' " Of his services generally, your Lordship is no doubt
to the full as well aware as I am, and that they have ob-
tained for him diverse badges of distinction. But I may
be permitted to observe with reference to the fall of
Bhurtpore (at the siege of which he assisted, and also got
a hard knock) that neither your Lordship nor Lord
Combermere are probably aware, how mainly the success
of that enterprize was due to the indefatigable zeal and
industry of Sir Samford Whittingham in preparing — /
may safely say^ in creating the means by which it was
obtained." *
' I grieve that I did not get your letter some days
sooner, though if my feeble voice can have any influence
in this question, I trust it will be heard in time to have
its effect, as Lord Bathurst (if in London) will have got
my letter this morning.'
* In his noble generosity Sir Edward forgets that it was he himself who
set to work and encouraged and directed that indefatigable King's officer in
his labours.
TWO LETTERS OF SAME DATE. 341
CHAPTER XVI.
1827—1828.
TWO LETTERS OF SAME DATE TEN THOUSAND MILES APART — SIR EDWARD
PAGET's CONGRATTTLATIONS — DEATH OF THE DUKE OF YORK — CAPTAIN
Seymour's death — copy of sir Edward's letter to lord bathurst
reaches india — aide-de-camp selected for his merit — lord com-
bermere the guest of sir samford — the talk of the garrison
THE KING OF OUDE — LORD COMBERMERE's FRIENDLINESS — THE REACTION
OF A GENEROUS MIND — LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK'S APPOINTMENT — SIR
Edward's present of genuine hay annahs— thanks of the house
OF COMMONS — SIR EDWARD's GENEROUS DISCLAIMER OF THANKS— WIL-
LOUGHBY cotton's AFFECTIONATE LETTER — A MODEL OF WHAT A MAN
OUGHT TO BE — WILLOUGHBY COTTON'S OPINION OF SIR EDWARD PAGET
THE PRINCIPAL PROMOTER OF THE PASSAGE OF THE DOURO — LORD
COMBERMERE's KIND LETTER — LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK'S ARRIVAL —
HIS REQUEST — SIR HERBERT TAYLOR'S OPINION OF SIR E. PAGET — THE
CONFIDANT OF THREE SUCCESSIVE KINGS — LORD COMBERMERE's PROOF
OF CONFIDENCE — SIR EDWARD's AFFECTION— SIR SAMFORD's GREATEST
AMBITION.
Whilst the pleasure-bearing letter which closed the last
Chapter was on its tedious voyage, unwonted gloom and
despondency oppressed its future recipient, accustomed as
he had so long been to the favour and confidence of his
superior officers.
On the 4th January, 1827, the Quartermaster- General
of the King's army in India was inditing letters full of
grief at the reports which were circulated, that he alone
of the Major-Generals at the siege of Bhurtpore, had not
been recommended for the Commandership of the ' Bath '
and was considered to have been then only a Colonel on
the Staff, having received no command as yet as Major-
General. In the first supposition, however, he was in
error, for Lord Combermere had made no recommenda-
o42 MEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
tions for any particular honour for anyone. But it was
true that the Commander-in-Chief considered the Quar-
termaster-General as on the footing of the other staff
officers who held similar positions, though with inferior
army rank.
That Sir Samford Whittingham instead of being re-
stricted, according to custom, as a King's Staff Officer to
very limited duties, had been the right-hand man, the
friend and counsellor of the late Chief, was of course no
claim on the new Commander ; and, moreover, the latter
in the first instance was probably not aware of the facts,
which the just and excellent Sir Edward had impressed
on Lord Bathurst on the 12th September, 1826.
There can be no doubt now, that Lord Combermere
only followed the then usual rule and custom of India, to
subordinate the King's Staff's influence to that of Bengal,
in spite of the generally superior army rank of the former.
And though highly offensive to the King's army, there
were not wanting excellent reasons for the practice, if
the matter be impartially considered. King's officers
newly arrived as strangers from England, and belonging
to a then comparatively uneducated araiy, could not vie
in knowledge and experience with the local army ; at
least as a general rule, in spite of the patent defects of
the Bengal military system. And, moreover, the excep-
tional claims of Sir Samford Whittingham on Sir Edward
Paget, were^ not transferable to a new Chief under the
circumstances. But enough of the temporary cloud of
discontent alluded to ; since it passed away as rapidly as
a twelvemonth's post (for it took nearly a year to be
answered from England in India) would permit.
On that same 4th January, 1827, at the Eoyal Mihtary
College in England, another letter was being written, as
follows : —
SIR EDWARD PAGET'S CONGRATULATIONS. 343
From Sir Edward Paget.
' Sandhurst, Uh January, 1827.
' My dear Whittingliam, — I am roused from my lethargy
by reading in the Gazette this morning the name of my
dear, good, but neglected friend amongst the batch of
K.C.B.'s. I congratulate you on this distinction with all
my heart and soul ; and wish you all health, happiness,
and length of life to enjoy it and all other honours that
may fall to your lot In the midst of these dis-
cordances I find my friends of the India House have
been voting you all chests, and cotton bags of thanks, for
your performances at Bhurtpore, and only introducing
my name for the purpose of vilifying it, as the author of
the wanton massacre at Barrackpore. This brings me, my
dear but neglected friend, to thank you, though late, for
the curious and interesting account of Lord A.'s generous
proceedings on the occasion of the panic, with which he
was seized at first hearing of his recall. . . .
'January 6th. — Alas! my dear Whittingham, the ac-
count has reached me to-day of the death of the poor
Duke ' [of York], ' who after several fainting fits in the
course of the day, breathed his last at nine o'clock last
night. Every man, whose esteem is worth possessing,
must deeply lament his loss — to me it is irreparable.
During the long period of two-and-thirty years I never
received from him aught but acts of kindness, condescen-
sion and consideration. Father and steady patron of this
College, his demise will in all probability rouse its enemies
and the sticklers for economy to new acts of hostility.
But I will not anticipate evils ; but still hope I may have
your two dear lads under my eye. I saw them about
three weeks ago, and nothing could appear in a more
prosperous condition. Who is to succeed the poor Duke
as Commander-in-Chief, nobody appears to know. Some
talk of the Duke of Cambridge ; some of the Duke of
344 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Wellington ; others of a Military Board, heaven defend us
from this last ! . . . God bless you, my very dear Whit-
tingham, and with the warmest regards of my good wife,
believe me ever most affectionately yours,
'Edward Paget.'
We must now return to India.
Sir Samford Whittingliam to his Brother-in-law.
'Meerut, lOth January, 1827.
* My dear Davis, — The intelhgence of the loss of poor
Captain Seymour [38th Eegiment] reached me this morn-
ing ; and it would be in vain for me to attempt to
describe my feelings ! Sent to this country under my
especial care, I have ever considered him as a son ; and it
would have been my pride and glory to have proved
myself a second father to him ! Assure my dear and
beloved friend Sir William [Knighton] how deeply I
sympathize in his affliction.'
In this month, Colonel Willoughby Cotton was the
guest of Sir Samford Whittingham ; for in a letter dated
the 20th, he thanks him for his hospitality. Colonel
Cotton was on the Staff of Lord Combermere, and also
aide-de-camp to the King. He died in 1860, as Sir
Willoughby Cotton, G.C.B.
On the 31st January he writes from Kirkondah, twenty-
four miles from Meerut : ' I left this morning on my
march to Cawnpore, where I expect to find the order for
my taking the command of that division. Lord Carn-
worth goes home in the '' Prince Begent,'' General Pine
is appointed to command the Presidency division in his
place, and I am to command at Cawnpore.' On his
march to the latter he writes on the 12tli February,
' I have received the kindest, the most affectionate letter
from Sir Edward Paget ! His letter is dated 27th July ;
AIDE-DE-CAMP SELECTED FOR MERIT. 345
yet others have arrived in India dated the middle of
September.'
Long after he was gazetted as Commander of the Bath,
he was lamenting that he had not been thought worthy of
his promotion. The telegraph has put an end to similar
trials at the present day.
On the 20th February, his brother-in-law's letter of the
6th and 12th September, 1826, reached him, and rejoiced
his heart with the intelligence that there was every reason
to hope that he would not be left unrewarded. Later
letters of the 14th and 17th September reached him, and
on the 3rd April, 1827, he writes, 'Sir Edward Paget's
letter to Lord Bathurst, is the most honourable testimony
of service I could possibly have received. My mind,' Sir
Samford adds, ' is now quite at ease, and my position in
India all I could wish.'
It may be here stated, that on being appointed to the
Cawnpore command, Sir Samford Whittingham selected
as his aide-de-camp the gallant lieutenant who had so
distinguished himself at the siege of Bhurtpore, William
Caine, a man without interest and with nothing but his
merit to recommend him. The letter continues : ' the
four battalions of infantry I have with me at Cawnpore
are encamped about five miles off. Every morning I rise
at half- past three and do not return till nine : the whole
of that time, deducting the space for going and coming,
being employed in drilling and manoeuvring the troops !
I am thus every morning on horseback for five hours ;
and Sunday is my only day of rest.'
The details of Lord Combermere's stay in Cawnpore
are not recorded in any letters which have reached the
Editor. But two survivors, one a general officer of the
Indian army and the other then aide-de-camp to Sir Sam-
ford, well remember the circumstances of that visit.
His Lordship arrived on the 29th November, 1827, and
left the station on the 6th December. During his week's
346 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
stay, he and all his Staff were the guests of Sir Samford
Whittingham. Moreover all the superior oflScers, and
such others as Lord Combermere desired to see, were
invited on each day to dinner. Those of the Staff and
their servants for whom there was not room in the house
pitched their tents in the General's own ground. The
expense of such a visitation may be imagined. ' It was
the talk of the garrison.'' *
Sir Samford accompanied Lord Combermere to Luck-
now. In a letter from that city dated 11th December,
1827, he writes : 'We arrived here this morning amidst
the crash and jostling of 150 elephants, all pushing for-
wards at the same time, to enter a narrow street of
about two miles long, which leads to the palace of His
Majesty the King of Oude. About half my howdah was
carried away. One elephant was pushed over a bridge ;
and divers were the mishaps which occurred. But I am
happy to say, no serious evil resulted from the scramble.
We breakfasted with His Majesty of Oude ; and tiffed f
with the Eesident, with whom we are also to dine.'
To his Brother-in-law.
' Cawnpore, 27th December, 1827.
' Many happy returns of the season to you and yours,
and to all the dear circle. The important news of the
death of Mr. Canning, and of the appointment of the
Duke of Wellington to be Commander-in-Chief at home
and of that of Lord Combermere to be Viceroy of
Ireland J has just reached us. Lord C. will I believe
return immediately to Calcutta to embark for England.
His behaviour to me, since his stay with me at Cawnpore,
has become uniformly that of a sincere and affectionate
friend. It is the reaction of a generous mind, which
* The words of an eye-witness. Sir Samford, however, invited his Lord-
ship, who preferred a good house to his own tent,
t Luncheon is called tiffin in the East.
X This report was wholly unfounded.
LORD COMBERMERE'S FRIENDLINESS. 347
feels it had been imposed on and deceived. The canaille
at Calcutta had made him believe that I was a very
dangerous monsfer, from whom it behoved him to keep
quite clear. Now that he knows me well, he has seen
that I had not merited the honour done me by my kind
good friends in the city of Calcutta. And Hke an honest
man, he endeavours to repay by unlimited confidence the
injury done me by the false impression that had been
made on his mind. I rejoice at this, for I am really
glad to be honoured with Lord Combermere's good
opinion ....
' Nothing could have given me more sincere pleasure
than the appointment of Lord William Bentinck.* I love
and admire my old commander and am quite happy at
the idea of again serving under his orders.'
In the meantime at home, in the spring of 1827, Sir
Edward Paget had been rancorously attacked in par-
liament by the ardent partisans of what may be called the
Indian mutiny- coaxing system ; but he was victoriously
defended, though the supporters of the system were
powerful enough to postpone for years the necessary
reforms, which would involve a painful loss of patronage
and power to themselves. Sir Samford rejoiced, as may
be supposed, in Sir Edward's triumphs at home.
In a letter of Sir Edward's dated, ' Sandhurst, 17th
July, 1827,' after apologizing for his laziness with his pen,
he continues, ' Instead of looking back, however, I will
look forward ; and I trust I may do it with confidence.
For, as I am to have your brave boy here [as a college
cadet] in the course of next month, I am greatly mistaken
if he don't give an activity to my pen, the want of which
you have sound reason to complain of
' You have long known the fate of Hume's motion on
♦ As Governor-General. During the last two years of his stay in India
his Lordship was also Commander-in-Chief — a veritable King of India.
348 MEMOIR OF SIR S. P. WHITTINGHAM.
the Barrackpore question ; and before this, must be in
possession of the wonderful events which have produced a
change of administration, &c. One of the appointments
arising out of the recent changes, is that of Lord Wilham
Bentinck to India. I have had one long talk with him,
and I think the probability is that I shall have more, and
I promise you, my dear friend, that you will not escape
the severity of my criticisms. He is in the expectation of
starting some time in the month of September.
' The last letter I received from you grieved me to the
soul. A moment's consideration, however, soon set me
at "ease, as it satisfied me that very shortly indeed after it
was written you must have become acquainted with the
fact that your merits and services were better known and
appreciated at home, than they were by your friends in
India. If you want any proof of this you may read the
enclosed.*
' I am off for Cowes, to pass a day or two v^th my
brother, who has escaped from the Ordnance Board, to
enjoy a few weeks' sailing. I hear and believe that he is
destined to succeed Lord Wellesley in Ireland. Lady
Harriet, with some of the children, is also on the move, to
pass a week with her mother at Blackheath. These are
holiday times at Sandhurst, which we are turning to
account. In truth, I may say that the whole is holiday
time to us. For we like our situation here exceedingly,
have a delightful house, garden, and grounds. And I
have just enough to do, to be interested without being
oppressed; and daily chant the Te Deum, at having
escaped from W , S , C , S , and Co.; and
from the pestilential vapours of Chowringhee with a mens
Sana in corpore sano.
' Hoping, my dear Whittingham, that you still find
health and comfort in a cigar, I this day dispatch a cargo
of real and genuine Havannahs to Hart Davis, with a
* The enclosure has disappeared.
SIR EDWARD'S PRESENTS. 340
request that he will take the best means of forwarding
them to you. I have also sent in the same box, Sir
Walter Scott's " Life of Napoleon," which struck me as a
book you would hke to read. I will beg of him to let
you know by what ship the box is sent.
' God bless you, my dear and excellent friend ! And
believe me, in spite of my idleness and neglect, your
sincerely attached and affectionate friend,
'Edward Paget.'
[P. S.] ' Lady Harriet charges me with the best wishes
and affectionate regards to you.'
In a letter signed, ' Combermere,' dated 'Head-quarters
Calcutta, 15th October, 1827,' and addressed to Major-
General Sir S. F. Whittingham, K.C.B., the thanks of
the House of Commons were conveyed to the latter, his
Lordship writes, ' for the meritorious and gallant manner
in which you performed the duties which were assigned
to you in the late operations against Bhurtpore.' Though
quite official, it ends somewhat unusually with very sin-
cerely^ your obedient servant.
The following proves the nobleness of Sir Edward
Paget's mind : —
To Sir Sam ford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Sandhtjest, lO^A JDecembei', 1827.
' I assure you, my dear good friend, you greatly over-
value the step I took in representing to Lord Bathurst
your just claim to the Bath, as I am quite certain that
you would have got it, at the very time you did, though
I had been altogether silent upon the subject. It is the
will and not the deed, therefore, that you must lay to my
account.' *
* He had done his best with Lord Bathurst and the President of the
Board of Control, to get the Bath for Commodore Hayes j and had failed.
350 ' MEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' God bless you, my very dear and excellent friend.
Take care of yourself, and don't think that you can des-
pise the rays of the sun with impunity .... and
believe me ever
' Most affectionately yours,
'Edward Paget.'
The year 1828 opened more cheerfully to Sir Samford
Whittingham than had its predecessor. The system of
brief extracts from the fraternal correspondence will be
continued, omitting (except on rare occasions) the politics
of India, that have lost their interest : —
^ Cawnpoee, Qth January, 1828.
' How many things call for our present gratitude to the
Great Disposer of all things ! My position in this country
could not be happier or more comfortable. Peace and
harmony reign throughout the whole of my command ;
and I have every reason to believe that the commander
of the Cawnpore district is not less popular than was the
governor of Dominica ! Lord Combermere writes to me
in really affectionate terms, and my old friend and com-
mander, Lord William Bentinck, is on the point of arri-
ving. My health was never better, and my mind is quite
at ease.'
General Whittingham had invited Colonel Willoughby
Cotton, then on the Staff of his relative. Lord Comber-
mere, to accompany him on a tour of inspection who,
however, could not obtain his Lordship's leave, but sent
an excuse full of the most flattering affection, from which
a brief portion is here extracted (dated January 23rd,
1828) : — ' Nothing on earth could have given me so much
pleasure as to have accompanied you. I never flatter,
but truth must be spoken, and I have the highest opinion
of your head and heart. Your ideas are all those of the
It was not then usual to give the K.CB. to anyone under the rank of Rear-
Admiral or Major-General.
WILLOUGHBY COTTON*S AFFECTIONATE LETTER. 351
high-bred gentlemanly officer, and depend upon it all
you want is opportunity ; whenever that offers the result
is certain.' Colonel Cotton alluded to the opportunity of
a large command in war. The letter ends thus : ' There
is a report the Duke of Wellington has appointed me,
immediately on re-entering office, Quartermaster-General,
vice yourself I have reason to think this is true. God
bless you, and believe me always with the truest sincerity,
your faithful and affectionate friend,
'WiLLOUGHBY COTTON.'
Sir Samford Whittingham to Sir Edward Paget.
(Extract.)
' Cawnpoee, &h February, 1828.
' My dear General, — Many, very many thanks for
your kind letter of the 17th July ; and for the very
acceptable present of Havannah cigars, and the " Life of
Napoleon."
'No one knows better than I do, how little letter-
writing is a hobby-horse with you. But as long as I con-
tinue to hold the same place in your affections, I shall
be happy and contented though I should not hear from
you above once a year. I shall write to you as often as
anything occurs worthy of your attention. I cannot tell
you how happy I am at the idea that C. and will
be formed into manhood under your guidance and direc-
tion.* My old opinion is in nowise changed ; and I look
upon it as the greatest blessing that could have befallen
me and them, that they should have such a model of
what a man ought to be before their eyes ! Davis will
have told you all about Lord Combermere's visit to
Cawnpore. . . .
' Nothing that I can recollect in the whole course of my
* That is a general superintendence. The Governor of the College inter-
fered but little in the petty details, which were under the charge of subor-
dinate officers beginning with a Lieut.-Governor.
352 MEMOIR OF SIR S. 1^. WHITTINGHAM.
life has given me such heartfelt pleasure as the assurance
of the complete happiness you and Lady Harriet enjoy
at Sandhurst.
'I have long ceased to exist for myself, but I have
great and serious duties to perform, and there is in the
very performance of your duty a source of real and
permanent enjoyment. Besides I enjoy perfect health ;
and when I look around and compare my lot with that of
others, I bless God and am thankful.
' Adieu, dear and beloved friend. To feel that I have
a right to call you by that endearing name is the delight
and solace of my exile, and gilds the thought of my
return to my native land. Once more adieu.
' Ever your most devoted and attached,
'Samford Whittingham.'
On the 5th April, 1828, Colonel W. Cotton wrote to
Sir Samford, amongst other things : ' When you write to
Sir Edward Paget pray offer him my best, warmest, and
most humble remembrances. I hke him and esteem him
as one of our best officers
' The whole arrangements were formed for the siege of
Bhurtpore by Sir Edward. The execution fell into Lord
C 's hands, which if done by Sir Edward would have
given him the peerage, and 60,000/. His unfortunate
capture lost it [the peerage] to him with Lord Welling-
ton's army. He deserved it for the passage of the Douro ;
at which I was present and can safely aver that it was
owing to the admirable celerity with which he seized
the vantage ground on crossing, that the Duke gained
the victory that day.'
When years later the ' Wellington Dispatches ' were
published, they amply confirmed the above opinions of
the late Sir Willoughby Cotton. At page 329 of the
fourth volume of that immortal work. Sir Edward is done
full justice. Here there is room but for one sentence.
WILLOUGHBY COTTON's ESTEEM FOR SIR SAMFORD. 353
After reporting his brother's wound to the Hon.
Berkeley Paget, Sir Arthur Wellesley continues : ' I can-
not express to you how much I regret the loss of his
assistance, or how much the joy of the whole army on
account of this success has been damped by the mis-
fortune of him who has been the principal promoter of
it. I hope, however, that he will soon recover.'
The enthusiastic affection, and esteem felt by Colonel
Willoughby Cotton for Sir Samford Whittingham is proved
by many letters in the Editor's possession.
They are all very similar in tone to one dated ' Camp,
December 9th' (probably in 1828) which thus begins,
'Many thanks for yours, this day received by me. It
contains as all your letters do, most valuable opinions,
couched in most forcible and gentlemanly terms.'
On the 24th of June Lord Combermere writes to Sir
Samford : ' What changes have taken place at home !
The Duke will be everything ; and I hope he will recol-
lect his old and steady friends. Hill is named as Com-
mander of the Forces. But our friend Paget (who is
senior to Hill) is much more fit for the situation.*
In his private notes,* his Lordship never signed his
name in full. This one ends : ' yours my dear Whitting-
ham, most truly, C
Viscount Combermere to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Simla, mth June, 1828.
' My dear Whittingham, — I rejoice to hear that you
are so much better. I did not hke to tell you, before
you had recovered, that Lord C h was trying hard
through C 1 (no friend of yours) to get the Govern-
ment to put him on the Staff of Bengal. I think it
rather cool of Lord C. requesting me to send you to
* In one of these notes Lord Combermere candidly tells Sir Samford that
lie has no reason ' to complain of Dame Fortune ' and mentions his obtain-
ing Hhis command ' as one of the best specimens of his good luck.
A A
354 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Madras, and to remove Pine in order to make room for
him at Barrackpore. I shall protest against it. I had a
letter from Torrens. He says I should have been Com-
mander-in-Chief had I been in England.'
From the Same to the Same.
(Extract.)
^ Simla, ISth July.
' It is too late now for me to think of going home
this year. I have sent my resignation home, and have
requested that my successor may be at Calcutta by the
end of October [18]29 ; and I am bound to remain till
relieved.
' I fancy by Paget not having been appointed Com-
mander-in-Chief, that he was told it would be only tem-
porary or perhaps it was offered, and he refused to take
it upon the terms on which Hill holds the situation.
Any General Officer would have been glad to take the
College for him, with an understanding that Paget was to
return to it upon his giving up the command of the
army. But you will no doubt hear from Sir Edward, or
from Mr. Davis by the " Undaunted^ '
Lord William Bentinck landed at Calcutta on the 4th
July, 1828. Soon afterwards Sir Samford sent him a
congratulatory letter, and expressed the sincere pleasure
he felt ' at being again placed under his command.' — His
Lordship replied as follows : —
Lord William Bentinck to Sir Samford Whittingham.
^ Calcutta, IQth July, 1828,
'My dear General, — I assure you that it gives me very
great pleasure to come again in contact with you. I
never entertained other than the most sincere esteem and
respect for you; and I am confident that I shall find
nothing in your Indian history, which will not increase
my former good opinion.
LETTERS FROM LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK. 355
' I have to ask of you tlie favour of naming to me
two or three officers of my own regiment,* from the
Captains and subalterns ; from w^hom I may select an
A. D. C. Among others, I should be glad to know your
opinion of Captain M e. I need not describe to you
the character required ; but as Lady William is with me,
it is very important to have a gentleman in every sense
of the word, who will not be disagreeable to us as an
inmate; and who will be civil and respectful to all who
have access to the house. I naturally should have asked
this question of [Brigadier] General Sleigh, f for whom
I have always entertained feelings of respect. But I learn
with regret that there have been great dissensions in the
Corps ; and I should rather like to have an opinion en-
tirely impartial. As I do not mean to be a prisoner at
Calcutta, and am of opinion that I can best judge of the
state of things by personal inspection and information on
the spot, I trust at no great distance of time, to have the
pleasure of seeing you. In the meantime believe me,
my dear Sir,
' Ever most sincerely yours,
' W. Bentinck.'
^Major-General Sir Samford| V^hittingham, K.C.B.'
Of the reply to the above letter the Editor has no copy.
From the Same to the Same.
(Extract.)
^ Calcutta, 18^A August, 1828.
' My dear Sir, — I feel much obliged by the kind and
friendly manner in which you have so fully and satis-
factorily entered into the question I took the liberty of
* The 11th Light Dragoons, now Hussars.
t Though a local Brigadier-General, Sleigh was the Commanding
Officer of the 11th Dragoons.
X Curiously enough in the original letter Lord William has written
Sandford instead of Samford, exactly as George IV. did in the letter of in-
troduction \jn Sir Edward Paget.
A A 2
356 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. AVIIITTINGHAM.
putting to you. I have offered the situation to Captain
Mansell. The favourable opinion expressed by you has
been fully confirmed by the reports of others.'
The Editor has omitted to allude in its proper place to
a letter from Sir Herbert Taylor to Sir Samford Whit-
tingham, which must have reached India in the spring of
1828, being dated 23rd October, 1827. It consists of no
less than fifteen pages of old-fashioned letter paper. In
it he says : ' Thank God, I am released from a drudgery
which nothing but a feeling of attachment to the Duke
of York, and to the King in the first instance, and a sense
of duty in the next, could have enabled me to get
through. I have resigned my office to a most trust-
worthy and amiable man,* and I trust that he will not
be embarrassed by any of my proceedings when I held
it.' In this interesting letter Sir Herbert attributes to
Hhe zealous and disinterested exertions of Sir Edward
Paget,' the success of the Burmese campaign. He also
gives him credit 'for the preparations which ensured suc-
cess in the attack on Bhurtpore^' adding, ' I have always
regretted that our friend did not stay and reap the bene-
fits of these exertions.'
Sir Herbert also expresses his approval of Sir Sam-
ford's plans of Indian reforms. The whole voluminous
letter shows how this able and trusted confidant of
(eventually) three successive Kings of England respected
and esteemed the subject of this Memoir, as well as his
noble friend Sir Edward Paget.
Viscount Comhermere to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Private.)
^ Simla, nth August, 1828.
'My dear Whittingham, — Davis's next letters will be
most interesting. We must have April ships in soon.
* Lord Fitzroy Somerset, afterwards Lord Raglan.
LOED COMBERMERE's PROOF OF CONFIDENCE. 357
C 1 could not carry his friend Lord C li through.
Lord WilHam Bentinck, I am glad to find, does not con-
sider the Colonel his oracle, as Lord did. Several
things that had been refused by Colonel C 1 in Lord
's and Bailey's administration were brought before
Lord William by my desire for consideration, and all
have been granted
'I am going to send you a Eegiment (44th) in Novem-
ber, which will require a deal of surveillance. Colonel
S n is a very gallant officer ; but his ofiicers are either
bad or he does not know how to manage them. How-
ever you will find all this out, and I trust you will make
this corps what it ought to be. You had better not
mention my intention respecting this change of quarters,
except (confidentially) to Colonel Frith.*
' In haste, my dear Whittingham, most truly yours,
'C
Enough has been shown of Lord Combermere's letters
to prove how friendship and confidence had replaced the
coldness which had been at first infused into his mind,
by jealousies, which after all were only too natural, under
the circumstances, which had formerly thrown into the
hands of a King's Officer the influential Staff* duties
usually performed by two or three Company's officers. In
the opinion of a surviving General, a man of sound sense
and ability, who then served the Company in a subaltern
capacity, (and whose judgment therefore cannot be biased
in favour of the King's officer) the state of the Head
Quarter Staff* had perfectly justified Sir Edward Paget in
departing from the then usual practice. But it was not
to be expected that those who actually lost power and
influence would be contented, and it was certain that
* Lord Combermere no doubt feared that the General from whose com-
mand the regiment was moved to be put in order might take offence. There
is reason to believe that the commanding officer of the regiment was chiefly
to blame, if not entirely so.
358 MEMOIE OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
their discontent would be generally sympathized with by
the Company's officers. But though the jealousy and
hostility was natural, the affair was not the less creditable
to the zeal and talents of the King's officer. The good
sense by which Lord Combermere rescued himself from
the influence of a powerful clique, and admitted Sir Sam-
ford Whittingham to his confidence, and, even friendship,
is perceptible in his later correspondence, where he is
ready to combat for the interests of the very man whom
at the outset he had treated with a coldness approaching
to discourtesy.
Far away in England, his late Chief still retained his
ardent affection for Sir Samford Whittingham : —
Sir Edward Paget to Mr. Hart Davis.
(Extract.)
^ San^dhuest, 25th November, 1828.
' My dear Davis, — A thousand thanks for your most
kind letter. It grieved me to the soul to hear that my
most dear, most excellent, but alas ! neglected friend, has
had so serious an illness at Cawnpore. God grant that
he may be entirely recovered, and that your next letter
may bring you the grateful tidings. Pray, pray, let me
hear from you when they arrive. I know not the indi-
vidual out of my own family, whose loss would so deeply
wound me. Would that the time were arrived, at which
he could withdraw himself from that infernal land of
cholera. His Hfe is of infinitely more value to his family
and friends, than lacs of rupees, and I hope you will join
me in telling him so.'
Sir Samford Whittingham to his Brother-in-law.
* Cawnpore, bth December, 1828.
' The Duke of Wellington, in my humble opinion,
possesses more of sterling British good sense, and real
sound judgment than any man I have ever yet known.
SIR sampord's ambition. 359
Sir George Murray you will find a most able man of
business, and tlie new Secretary-at-War,* with whom I
was at High Wycombe, possesses very superior abilities.
I have received a letter from Finucane, as late as the
18th June, in which he says that you were again quite
well. How nobly your friends at Bristol constantly be-
have ! Tell our old friend, Mr. Bush, that I have got his
son attached to a regiment at Cawnpore, and that I will
do everything in my power to serve and take care of him.
In January, I shall meet Lord Combermere at Keitah —
take leave of him — inspect the troops at Bundelkund and
return to my camp of instruction at Cawnpore, on the
1st February. Brigade and field days will occupy that
month, and the greater part of March. Four battalions
of infantry, eight squadrons of cavalry, and twelve pieces
of artillery, will be the manoeuvring force. I will send
you one of my field-days, to show my good friend Tor-
rens.f To many people, all this would be tiresome. I
confess I dehght in what I contemplate as merely neces-
sary preparation for some great and glorious day. " My
fortune's on my saddle-bow", and my greatest ambition
an honourable grave on the field of battle.'
* Sir Henry (afterwards Viscount) Hardinge.
t Sir Henry Torrens had been dead some months when Sir Samford wrote
these words.
360 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
OHAPTEE XVn.
1829—1830.
ON" EOTJTE TO MEET LORD COMBEEMERE — TAKES FINAL LEATE OE LORD
COMBERMERE — LETTER OF SOUTHET TO MR. HART DAVIS — GREAT UN-
POPULARITY OF LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK — CAPTAIN CAINE A.D.C. AND
THE TIGERS — DELIGHTFUL CLIMATE OF MEERUT — UNIVERSAL HARMONY
AT CAWNPORE STATION — LORD COMBERMERE's LETTER — MUSSOURIE HILLS
— INDIA NOT A GOOD SCHOOL FOR YOUNG SOLDIERS — A HOME ON THE
HILLS — LORD HASTINGS VERSUS LORD AMHERST AS A FINANCIER —
ACCOUNTS MYSTERIOUSLY WITHHELD — SIR HENRY HARDINGE's COR-
RESPONDENCE WITH SIR SAMFORD — EXPECTED VISITS FROM LORD
WILLIAM BENTINCK AND LORD DALHOUSIE — ANXIETY FOR A PROLONGED
COMMAND.
' Calpee : Srd January, 1829, 50 miles from Cawnpore.
— I am thus far on my route to Keitat, to meet Lord
Combermere, and have been passing some days with Mr.
Saunders, one of the civil servants of the Company, and
commercial resident for them here.' [He speaks most
highly of this gentleman's skill, zeal, and management ;
and enters copiously into cotton details, unsuited for this
Memoir ; then after repeating and dwelling on his unalter-
able belief on the subject of the transfer of authority in
India, he ends with] — ' So strong, indeed, is this the con-
viction of my mind, that I know of nothing in public life
that would give me more pleasure than to hear that
India, civil and mihtary, was placed at the disposition of
His Majesty.'
' Banda : 29th January. — This morning I took my
final leave of Lord Combermere, who has been kind
and attentive to me beyond expression. He proceeds
through Cawnpore, &c. to Calcutta ; and I am on my re-
SOUTIIEY's letter to MR. HART DAVIS. 361
turn to Cawnpore, where I expect to arrive on the 3rd
February. On that day I inspect the artillery. Yester-
day's letters and papers brought us the melancholy news
of the death of our old and much esteemed friend, Tor-
rens ! I do not know any event that has more com-
pletely affected me. To Sir Herbert Taylor, who succeeds
him,* I have written a few hues, enclosed in this letter.
I rode eighteen miles to breakfast this morning, without
the slightest fatigue. Indeed, I never recollect to have
been in better health. Lord William Bentinck is travel-
ling dak about Bengal, but his movements are so com-
pletely kept to himself, that we have no certainty as to
his real intention. I wish he may come to Cawnpore, I
shall be delighted to see him. Lord Combermere goes
home about the middle of next •November.'
About the middle of 1829 Sir Samford Whittingham
must have received from his brother-in-law the following
note, written by Eobert Southey : —
Mr. Southey to Mr. Hart Davis, f
' Keswick, 15th January, 1829.
' Sir, — I have this day been favoured with your oblig-
ing note, and the papers from Sir Samuel F. Whittingham.
In the course of the present year, I hope to produce the
facts contained in these papers in a manner which will
satisfy Sir Samuel, by representing the true case. Indeed
he had put me in possession of them before he left Eng-
land ; and they had enabled me sometimes to render
him that justice in private which I shall with great plea-
sure render him in public. I never write with more
pleasure than when rendering due honour to the living
or the dead.
* Sir H. Taj lor was appointed Adjutant-General on the 25tli August 1828.
t This note of Southey's came into the Editor's possession only after he
had finished writing this work as far as Chapter XX. It amply confirms
directly the conclusion which he had already arrived at indirectly.
362 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' Many years have passed since I liave been connected
with Bristol in any other way than by a family burial-
place in Ashton churchyard. But I love my native city
dearly, am proud to be noticed as a Bristolian by you its
worthy representative, and shall continue to labour while
I can, in the hope and belief that I may leave a name
which may be held there in good remembrance. I have
the honour to remain, Sir,
' Your obliged and obedient servant,
'EOBERT SOUTHEY.'
But in addition to the information that Southey obtained
direct from General Whittingham, he must certainly have
obtained, as explained in the preface, the most important
of the letters which the letter addressed to the successive
Military Secretaries at the Horse-Guards.
A long letter (to Mr. Davis of the 17th June) narrates
the reduction in the pay and allowances of the military
officers made by Lord William Bentinck, and its effects,
and adds : ' The Governor-General is unpopular to a de-
gree beyond belief, and I am really afraid he will receive
open marks of disrespect in his journey through the Upper
Provinces.'
' Cawnpore^ ISth July, 1829. — My aide-de-camp. Cap-
tain Caine, H.M.'s 41st Eegiment, has been out on a
shooting party lately ; and, with two companions, killed
forty-three tigers, and twelve young ones. He begs you
to accept of two skins, truly the largest and finest I ever
saw ; and which I send to you by Cornet Hindman, of
H.M.'s 11th Light Dragoons. He has promised to take
great care of them, and to deliver them to you. He is a
gentlemanly young man, who will, I think, rather please
you. In order that you may have some idea of Caine,
I forward you a copy of the statement I gave Lord
Combermere of his conduct at the storming of Bhurt-
pore, where he had acted as Brigade-Major to Brigadier-
UNIVERSAL HAEMONY AT CAWNPOEE. 363
General M'Combe. Such very extraordinary gallantry
should be made as public as possible, and I know that
you will peruse the statement with interest and pleasure.
I spoke to Lord Combermere in his favour, and his Lord-
ship gave him very shortly afterwards a Company in the
41st, which has, to my great dehght, been confirmed by
Lord Hill.'*
^ Cawnpore, 2bth December, 1829.
[Alluding to past gifts he writes to Sir Edward Paget] —
' The hookah is the admiration of everyone who has seen
it. The httle Admiral is still the darling pet. The hats,
the tonjon, the iron chest, all are mementos of the man
whom of all others I have most esteemed and loved.'
The following is to his Brother-in-law : —
^CawnporE; '[st January, 1830.
' The compliments of the season to all the dear circle !
Will you send these compliments, which truly come from
the heart, to our dear friend, f and all his amiable family ;
and also to my much loved friends Sir Edward and Lady
Harriet Paget. I enclose a Calcutta paper containing an
account of our mode of carrying on the war at Cawn-
pore. J I am proud of the universal harmony which now
prevails at a station famous in former days for a very
opposite spirit. I enclose also Lord Combermere's last
letter to me, written in a tone of friendship, which de-
lights me, and will I am sure highly gratify you. Lord
Combermere is one of the best soldiers I have known,
and a man of great sense and judgment ; I sincerely love
him.'
The re-action caused by the change in Lord Comber-
mere's treatment of him, filled his warm and affectionate
heart with gratitude ; and it is to be regretted that this
* Vide Appendix C. Surely the Victoria Cross might be back-dated and
given to such veterans as Colonel Caine.
t Sir William Knighton.
J This paper is not forthcoming.
364 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
letter of his Lordship has been lost or mislaid. But it
was already quite evident from previous letters, that both
Chief and subordinate understood and appreciated one
another, and were on very friendly terms.
In the beginning of 1830, Sir Samford was anticipating
official visits from Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-
General, and from the new Commander-in-Chief, the Earl
of Dalhousie. In the letter mentioning the above facts,
occur the following natural lamentations : — ' Nothing is
to me so grievous in India as the slowness of our corre-
spondence. From the date of my writing to you, my
beloved brother, till the receipt of your letter in answer,
seldom less than a year elapses ; and it is impossible to
get rid of the idea that a thousand things may have
happened between the date of your letters and their re-
ception by me. ' *
Voluminous letters about the education and prospects
of his children abound this year. He has also hopes of
effecting a pleasant change of military command.
'10th March, 1830. — Lord Dalhousie has promised that
I shall succeed Sir Jasper Nicholls at Meerut. Sir Jasper
resigns in January 1831. He would stay longer, but a
large family of daughters requires his presence in Eng-
land. I am very glad of this change ; the climate of
Meerut is better than that of Cawnpore, and it is so near
the hills, that a change of air if necessary can be procured
in twenty-four hours.'
He was taken ill this spring, and removed for change
of air to the Hills : —
To his Brother-in-law.
^ MussouRiE in the Himalayan Mountains ; six miles above
DnooN Detea, 140 miles from Meerut, dth May, 1830.
'You will I know be greatly rejoiced to hear that my
health is already perfectly restored by this most delightful
* He lived himself just long enough to witness great modification of this
evil, by the establishment of the overland postage to India.
INDIA A BAD SCHOOL FOE YOUNG OFFICERS. 365
climate, I never breathed so pure an air. The tliermo-
meter ranges from 62° to 65°. I sleep under a double
blanket, and we seldom pass a day without hghting a
fire ; yet this is the hottest season of the year. On the
1st of November, I shall return to Meerut, where I assume
the command.
' Lord Dalhousie is better, and keeps to his resolution
of sailing up the Ganges for these upper provinces in July
next. I shall see him at Meerut instead of Cawnpore ;
and I shall have hard work in November and December,
to get the troops in as good order as I had them in at
Cawnpore. Lord William writes to me in the same kind
and friendly style he has ever done. I expect he will be
at Meerut in January.'
To the Same.
* MussoTJEiE near Landour, 22nd May, 1830.
' In regard to I would not upon any account that
he should come out to Lidia, which I look upon as the
worst school into which a young military man can be
thrown. Habits of idleness, dissipation, and great expense
are almost invariably acquired ; and but seldom corrected
by that spirit of subordination and strict military dis-
cipline which is so forcibly inculcated in our regiments
in Europe. I am sorry B s* is placed in the th.
It is a particularly good fighting regiment; but I am afraid
so admirable a young man as you describe B s to be,
will find but little congenial to his feelings amongst the
officers of that corps. I am particularly anxious that
, when he has passed his examination at Sandhurst,
should obtain a commission in the Eifle Brigade, and if no
opportunity should offer of his obtaining it gratis, I would
purchase him his first commission rather than see him
enter any other corps. Pray talk this matter over with
Sir Edward Paget ; and tell him at the same time, how
* Now Major-General, lately commandiDg the Cork district in Ireland.
3C6 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
much I feel gratified and honoured by his choosing me
godfather to his little boy.
' When I came to these heavenly mountains, I purposed
residing with my old and good friends Mr. and Mrs. Grant.
But the sudden death of Mrs. Grant changed all my pro-
jects, and threw me upon the wide world with the least
preparation for such an unexpected change. Dr. and Mrs.
Daunt of H. M.'s 44th, who are here for their health,
kindly took compassion upon me ; and I am now living
with them (and with Dr. and Mrs. Magrath, who form
part of the family), with more real comfort than I have
enjoyed since my arrival in India. It is delightful to
meet with such estimable friends, in this far distant land,
and close to the snowy range.'
The following extract from a letter to Mr. Davis is a
proof of the activity of the writer's mind, who even when
on leave in the hills could not be idle : —
'MussoTTRiE, 2Sth May J 1830.
' When Lord Hastings left India, the surplus revenue ex-
ceeded 800,000/. per annum. The deficit is now 1,400,000/.
per annum. This evil must be remedied ; but not by such
trifling means as cutting 15,000/. per annum from the
army. In my opinion the great evil arises from the un-
productive territory of the Presidency of Bombay. All
territory not productive costs enormous expense, which
must be paid by the Presidency of Bengal. Such terri-
tory should be divided between and given to petty rajahs,
under a trifling rent, which however small, would be so
much clear gain, whilst all expense on our part would
cease. The enclosed queries I drew up and sent to a
high civil servant to be answered. I extract a part of his
letter to me in answer, and if you think it worth your
attention, pray call for such records of the House of
Commons as may bear upon them ; you will thus acquire
much more positive information than it is in my power to
ACCOUNTS MYSTERIOUSLY WITHHELD. 36T
send you. My friend says : " Without books and papers
I cannot answer distinctly these questions. In either the
second or third report of the committee of the House of
Commons previous to the last charter, there are numerous
accounts from which the matter might be collected. In
the ' Asiatic Journal,' some of the late accounts annually
laid before Parliament were printed. I have not with
me any of the Accountant-General's annual estimates and
reports on accounts, which are the foundation of all the
accounts of India. For the last three years^ these accounts
have been withheld from us.^^
' It is only therefore in the records of the House of Com-
mons that full and authentic information can be acquired.
' Sincerely yours,
' Samfoed Whittingham.'
This year he carried on a most friendly demi-official
correspondence with the Seer etary-at- War, Sir Henry
(afterwards Viscount) Hardinge, on the subject of sol-
diers' pensions, and quartering troops on the hills.
On the 2nd of August, he writes to his brother-in-law: —
' I am glad to see Lord Clare's appointment to the go-
vernment of Bombay, inasmuch as it will insure Lord
WilHam's coming up the country, which might have been
prevented had Sir Charles Metcalfe been appointed as was
here reported. Sir Charles is a member of council, and
an old and experienced Civil servant; and Lord William
might not have felt it expedient to have left the council
without him. I hope to have many a long conversation
with Lord William on the interesting subjects of those
hills. I shall quit them [the hills] with deep regret, and
return to them with infinite pleasure. They have per-
fectly restored my health ; and they have afforded me an
existence of quiet and tranquil happiness, such as I have
never experienced since I left home.'
' 20th August. — My exchange with Sir Jasper is in orders
to take place on the 1st November.'
368 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' Meerut, Gth November. — Here I am again on the plains,
in perfect health and vigour; full of business and prepara-
tions for our great men — Lord William first; and then
Lord Dalhousie. I shall give them first a review of a
brigade of infantry ; then of four regiments of cavalry,
and thirty pieces of horse artillery; and then of the whole
together : each day commanded by S. W. Be assured,
my dearest brother, they shall not see the like in India.
Imagine to yourself with what delight I shall ride my
favourite hobby.'
' Meerut, Ibth November. — I am occupied from morn
till eve, and delighted with my new situation. My health
is perfect.'
'- Meerut^ \st December '---[hi. \]i\^ letter he explains his
anxious desire to have his command, which would be com-
pleted on the 26th January, 1833, prolonged to the 26th
January, 1836, giving various reasons : his desire to see
his civil and military sons, soon about to embark on their
careers, around him, and his behef that the expected
demise of Eunjeet Singh, would at last give him that
active command in the field at the head of British troops
which was now the great object of his zeal and labours.
He continues] — ' To be called away from the field just at
the moment of commencing operations would absolutely
break my heart. I entreat you therefore, dearest brother,
to use every infiuence in your [power] to obtain this boon
for me, and be assured of my eternal gratitude.* The
late brevet has doubled my chance of a high command,
should the troops take the field, and made me a thousand
times more anxious to remain at my present post. The
Duke of Wellington would perhaps listen to the suppli-
cation of an officer who has had the honour of serving
under him.'
* The influence of Mr. Davis, the Conservative Member of Bristol, soon
about to vanish under the crash of the great Reform Bill; was at this time
very considerable with the Ministers.
ANXIETY FOR PROLONGED COMMAND. 369
Well would it be if parliamentary interest were never
exerted in a worse cause than in endeavouring to give
to a brave, zealous and skilful officer an opportunity of
actively serving his country ! Providence alone can fur-
nish the desired opportunity ; but the hope may always
exist and thus keep active and able minds, so long as
life and strength are granted, from stagnation and fatal
despair.
B B
370 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
CHAPTER XVIIl.
1831.
VISITS OF THE EARL OE DALHOUSIE, AND OF LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK —
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REPEATED OBSERVATION TO MR. HART DAVIS
REGARDING GENERAL WHITTINGHAM — WHOLLY ADOPTED AND REJOICED
IN BY LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK — THE DUKE's DECLARATION AGAINST
REFORM — THE DUKE'S LOSS OF OFFICE INJURIOUS TO SIR SAMFORD —
THE RIVAL CHAMPAGNES— A CANDID NOBLE SPORTSMAN — LIEUTENANT
(now sir henry) DURAND — ONE OF THE DUKE'S LAST OFFICIAL ACTS —
LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK'S OPINION OP DANIEL O'CONNELL — HIS CON-
FIDENCE IN HIS COUNTRYMEN — A CHARACTERISTIC LETTER BY ^ THE
duke' — LORD hill's OPINION OF SIR SAMFORD.
How Lord Combermere would have been recalled, had
he not resigned, has been explamed in his Memoirs, by
Lady Combermere and Captain Knollys. He opposed
himself to those retrenchments in military expenditure, to
which Lord William Bentinck was pledged, and which
the then peaceful aspect of affairs facilitated.
We continue the extracts from the fraternal corre-
spondence.
' Meerut, 29th January, 1831. — Your dear letter of the
28th July, with extracts from the newspapers, relative to
your election at Bristol reached me yesterday, and gave
me greater pleasure than I have words to express. It
is most delightful to see the constant, and warm, and firm
attachment of your friends at Bristol ; because that feel-
ing arises from the fullest conviction of your merits, and
not from the feasting system, which so greatly captivates
John Bull. By doing your duty ably, punctually and
graciously, you have conciliated all the amours propres
VISITS OF LORDS DALHOUSIE AND BENTINCK. 371
in your favour, and you have admirably preserved your
own dignity, without neglecting the humblest of your con-
stituents.'
' Meerut, 10th February. — What a magnificent triumph
you have obtained my dearest brother 1 * As far as honour
can confer happiness, we have abundant reason to be satis-
fied. It would not be reasonable to expect all the good
things of life together. Lord Dalhousie will be here on
the 20th, remain here 21st and 22nd, and leave on the
23rd. Lord William will arrive on the 24th, and go from
hence to Hurdwar, whither I shall accompany him as well
as to the hills of Landour. I hope to show both their
Lordships first-rate specimens of cavalry and artillery.
My infantry is broken up for the season by the departure
of the 31st Eegiment for Kurnaul. But next cold weather
I hope to give them some line movements.'
The letters recording Lord Dalhousie's visit are not
extant, but there is no doubt that all passed off satisfac-
torily. Sir Samford accompanied Lord William Bentinck
to the Mussourie hills ; and whilst there he received the
following convincing proof that his constant exile had not
obliterated him or his services from the memory of the
greatest of Englishmen : —
Bichard Hart Davis, M.P. to Sir Samford WJiittingham,
(Extract.)
' [38] t Conduit Street [Hanoter Square],
' 28th Sepfetnber, 1830.
' I delayed writing for a day or two expecting to have
a communication from the Duke of Wellington respect-
ing your regiment. This has taken place ; and what will
dehght you above the hopes of having the regiment soon,
is the observation which the Duke made " that we had not
such another officer in the army,'' as yourself, " and that
* Mr. Davis, unable to bear the expenses of an election^ bad again been
returned in 1830 at the expense of his constituents.
t Then a handsome private house j now a tailor's shop.
B B 2
372 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
you ought to liave a Eegiment, and that you should have
one quickly."
' I forgot to say that the Duke of Wellington twice re-
peated " that we had not such another officer in the army "
as yourself.'
Mr. Davis's letter having reached Sir Samford whilst
he was in the camp of the Governor-General, he at once
sent it on to Lord William, evincing thereby much confi-
dence in the generosity of the latter, considering the great
military seniority of his Lordship, under whose command-
in- chief he had served in the Peninsula.
The following was the truly magnanimous as well as
kind reply of that distinguished nobleman ; —
Lord William Bentinch to Sir Samford Whittingham.
'CamP; 20^A March, 1831.
' My dear Sir Sam. P. {sic) — It would be paying you a
poor compliment to apply the same comparison in refer-
ence to this Presidency, as the greatest of all authorities,
in a manner so exceedingly gratifying, has made in your
favour in respect to the army at large. In fact no other
officer has had the same large means and varied oppor-
tunities of improving his own military talents, and of
employing them for the benefit of his country. / wholly
adopt the Duke's sentiments^ rejoicing and proud of them
as an old friend^ and delighted moreover in having the
henejit of those services in a country where they are so much
wanted. May they long he continued in India.^
' Ever, my dear Sir Samford,
' Most sincerely yours,
' W. Bentinck.'
This flattering letter emboldened Sir Samford to re-
quest his Lordship's kind aid with Lord Ellenborough,
• Thus the liberal Lord William, emulated the generosity of the con-
m-vative Sir Edward Paget's striking letter to Lord Bathurst (see page 340).
LETTER FROM LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK. 373
then President of the Board of Control, to procure the
prolongation of his eommand in India. Lord William
replied as follows : —
' Camp, 2^rd Marchj 1831.
' My dear Sir S. Ford, — When you have such a friend
in the Chief,* any interference on the part of myself or of
Lord Ellenborough, were he ever so well disposed to give
effect to my wishes, seems useless ; but the letter, as you
desire, shall be sent to Lord E., and dispatched by this
day's dak. I hope it may be of more use than I expect.
' Ever sincerely yours,
'W. Bentinck.'
Lord Wilham appears to have continued his tour soon
after the above, whilst Sir Samford returned to Meerut.
He now uses the word ' Samford ' instead of ' S. Ford ' in
his next letter to Sir S. Whittingham : —
From Lord William Bentinck.
(Extract.)
'Camp Eikjoar, 6th April, 1831.
' My dear Sir Samford, — I have to thank you for your
letters of the 31st, and 2nd April
' I have received from Lord Clare a file of ''Galignani,"
from the beginning of November to the 11th December.
These I have sent to Lord Dalhousie. The only three
English papers I received are herewith transmitted. I
have no copy of the King's speech at the meeting of
Parliament : but I see by the papers that it contained
a strong declaration against Eeform, which had made the
Duke extremely unpopular. There seems to be little
doubt, that had the King gone to the Lord Mayor's
dinner—the intention having been abandoned only the
day before — there would have followed great tumults. T
have a letter from Lord Clare, dated Bombay, 20th March,
in which he says : ' You will have been as mucli surprised
♦ The Duke of Welliogton.
374 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
as I was to hear of the change in the English adminis-
tration. Before I left London on the 8th September, it
was known that the elections had gone against the Duke's
friends ; and as it was believed he intended to meet Par-
liament without any accession of strength to his Govern-
ment, so the stability of it was very generally doubted.'
' The D. of Northumberland has resigned the Blues and
is succeeded by Lord Hill. I should think the D[uke of
Wellington] will return to his command of the army. He
and Lord Grey were always well together, and as I have
heard, nothing but the late King's positive refusal pre-
vented the D. from taking him into his cabinet. In the
Duke's case I would not take the command. It would be
a false position. A rival having the ear of his Sovereign
would be suspected, let his honour and integrity be ever
so undoubted.
' Sir Edward Paget, and Sir Willoughby Gordon are
variously stated as Master-General of the Ordnance ; the
former is the most likely, Lord Anglesea * {sic) having
accepted the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland.
' Sincerely yours,
' W. Bentinck.'
The removal of the Duke of Wellington from power,
as he did not revert to Commander-in-Chief, was a great
blow to Sir Samford Whittingham, pledged as his Grace
was to give him an early regiment.
The following anecdote being familiar to the Editor of
this work, and again lately confirmed by two surviving
witnesses, exemplifies the excellence of Sir Samford Whit-
tingham's dinners, especially the wines. In this he had
formed a great contrast to one exalted official who on his
tours of inspection was mainly indebted to the guns of
his Staff and of Captain Caine for eking out his scantily
supplied table. But this observation by no means applies
* The ' Peerages ' have Anglesey , not Anglesea.
THE CHAMPAGNE QUESTION. 375
to Lord and Lady William Bentinck, who always gave
excellent dinners. It was about this period that Lord
William invited Sir Samford to dinner expressly that he
might taste some superior champagne, which had been
sent as a present to Lord William by his good friend Louis
Philippe, King of the French. Now the General had long
obtained all his French wines direct from France, where
they were selected by his old friend Count Turenne, for-
merly employed in the household of the great Napoleon.
When his Lordship asked Sir Samford's opinion of the
citizen King's wine, he replied, that he would give him
better if his Lordship would honour him with his company
to dinner.
Soon after this, Lady William Bentinck gave a station
ball at Meerut, and borrowed for the purpose the officers
of the artillery's mess-house. At the same time, that she
might have leisure to superintend the preparations, her
Ladyship desired to escape the trouble of having to pro-
vide the same evening the dinner of her Lord and his
Staff, and she therefore requested Sir Samford to take this
opportunity of setthng the disputed champagne question.
There had been much previous joking, and Lord and
Lady Bentinck were both certain that it was impossible
to surpass the wines of French royalty.
The dinner took place accordingly. Amongst the guests
were Doctor and Mrs. Magrath, the latter of whom is now
a widow, residing in London. To the good-humoured
discomfiture of the Governor-General, even his own Staff
awarded the palm to Sir Samford's wine, nor did his
Lordship himself impeach the verdict. His Staff had not
always been so candid. On one occasion when they were
attending Lord William out tiger shooting, an enraged
tiger sprang on his Lordship's elephant, when the unerr-
ing gun of Captain Caine (who was of the party) came to
the rescue and disabled the animal. His Lordship, who
had been cool and calm to an exemplary degree, now
376 • MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
gave the finishing shot. The moment the beast fell, the
officers of the Staff shouted out ' The Lord done it, the
Lord done it ! ' * But Lord WilHam quickly replied :
' No ! Captain Caine, luckily for me, killed him, and I by
no means liked the unpleasant predicament in which I
was placed.'
In a letter to Lord William Bentinck, dated Mussourie,
25th July, 1831, Sir Samford encloses a plan of the chain
of heights upon which Thannah Toongra is situated, drawn
by Lieutenant Durand of the Bengal Engineers. Before
entering into the details. Sir Samford calls his Lordship's
attention to the very able manner in which Lieutenant
Durand had executed the plan of the ground.
This able officer thus specially brought to the notice of
the Governor-General, is now the well-known Sir Henry
Durand, who blew up the gates of Ghuznee in 1839, and
whom, as a member of the Supreme Council in India, Sir
John Lawrence, the present Viceroy of India, invested at
Simla on the Queen's birthday in 1867, with the Knight-
Commandership of the Star of India, accompanied by an
eloquent panegyric on his past services.
To explain the next letter, the reader must know that
Sir Samford's eldest son had, by the deaths of certain
gentlemen, lost two successive nominations to Bengal
writerships, which was a grievous disappointment to his
father, after the special and expensive education which
he had received to fit him for the appointment. One of
the great Duke's last official acts was to give to Sir Sam-
ford's son, through Mr. Davis, the only appointment of the
kind left in his gift, but which unfortunately was a Madras
instead of a Bengal writership ; so that the father could
no longer cherish the hope which had long cheered him,
of ushering his son into civil official life under his own
* When Governor-Generals, or minor Indian Governors vrere noblemen,
their Staff", usually spoke of them as * The Lord.^ It certainly was done at
Madras less than 30 years ago, as the Editor can testify.
OPINION OF DANIEL O'CONNELL. 377
eye, and with the immediate and powerful protection of
the good and great Lord William Bentinck : —
From Lord William Bentinck.
(Extract.)
' Simla, 18th April, laSl.
' My dear Sir S. Ford, — Thanks for yours of the 28th.
I am glad of your success in the writership ; and I hope
you may have the same good luck as to the Staff. The
artillery report is very satisfactory; and not less so that of
Thanna Toongra. Two days' march will bring it within
convenient distance of the plains. The state of England
itself is represented by all letters as very perilous. O'Con-
nell seems determined to produce an insurrection in Ire-
land, of which I trust he may be the first victim.^ I
have before seen a union of protestants and catholics, as
is the case at present. But it was then, as it will be now,
of short duration ; and the old feud and animosities [will]
prevail over those which O'Connell may endeavour to
arouse against the English connection. Catholic, a patriot
and a man and religion, was a much more popular banner
than the repeal of the Union can ever be.'
From the Same.
(Extract.)
< Simla, 2Qth Septemher, 1831.
'My dear Sir S. F. — I thank you for the interesting
extract from H. Davis's letter. The transaction is in its
results more honourable to liim than a successful election.
It shows the force and the power of the prevailing feeling.
The Government henceforth will be directed by a Eepub-
lican influence, little under the constraint of that which
has hitherto mainly directed the councils of the country ;
namely the aristocracy and clergy. I think we could not
have gone on without great changes, to which these latter
* It is curious to see how frightened even some Liberal Whi«»-e were
then, of the democratic spirit they had helped to raise.
378 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
interests would never have consented. Whether those
that will be brought about by the former, may not greatly
outstep the just limits of our wants, is another question,
which time alone can solve. My confidence has always
been in the united sense and courage of the country, and,
as the experience of near forty years' actual intercourse
with mankind has led me to the conclusion that there is
now infinitely more knowledge and morality, than in my
younger days, so I cling with confidence to a rather
favourite maxim with me. Nil desperandum. I believe
that all we see going on in England and Europe will
combine to the eminent good of the human race. To
those who have the most wisdom and firmness, these
benefits will the earlier come. To the rest, who, for no
fault of their own, but from bad government, have been
sunk under all the evils of ignorance, superstition, and
immorality, they, like the Eepublics of S. America, will
have to go through all kinds of suffering, before they
reach the goal. This is a cruel dispensation of provi-
dence in appearance, but so it is in fact, and probably
or rather certainly for the very best reasons, could our
hmited faculties dive into these great mysteries.
' I send herewith a book, in which your first intro-
duction upon the military stage of the Peninsula is flat-
teringly mentioned. It is probable that you will not have
seen it* ....
' Yours sincerely,
' W. Bentinck.'
The following letter is truly characteristic of its
writer : —
The Duke of Wellington to Mr. Davis.
' London, lUh August, 1831.
'My dear Sir, — I return the enclosed letter. I know
that there is a positive rule at the Horse-Guards that a
* The Editor will be greatly obliged to any per3on wlio can inform him
of the title of this book, apparently published in 1831,
LORD hill's OPIIslON OF SIR SAMFORD. 379
geneml officer shall not be employed on the Staff more
than six years. I have carried this rule into execution,
and so has my successor. I can have no objection to his
departure from it ; but I am convinced that you will see
that I cannot with propriety make myself the solicitor for
such a departure. I hope that you will excuse me, and
will not ask me to take a course so inconsistent with what
is the line of my duty.
' Believe me, yours most sincerely,
' Wellington.'
'H. Hart Davis, Esq.,
' Conduit Street.'
On the 21st December of same year, Lord Hill wrote
officially to the same effect to Lord Ellenborough, who
transmitted the decision to Lord William Bentinck. In
his letter Lord Hill who had never met General Whit-
tingham in Spain, nor had ever been in communication
with him there, yet, writes : ' I entertain a very high
opinion of Sir S. Whittingham, and believe him to be
fully entitled to the encomiums passed upon him by Lord
William Bentinck.'
380 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
CHAPTEE XIX.
1832.
MTJSSOITRIE— CHIEFS AT SIMLA, WITS THEIH RESPECTIVE STAEES— SIR
EDWAED BAENES — BAD HANDWEITING NO PEOOF OF GEEATNESS— LOED
WILLIAM ON THE EOYAL DISCEETION — SIE EDWAED BAENES— THE
commandee-in-chief's death waeeant — THE duke's dictum ON
THE DISAGEEEMENT OF INDIAN CHIEFS — LADY WILLIAM BENTINGK —
injustice of NAPIEE'S EAELIEST VOLUMES — THE NON-PUBLICATION OP
THE ' WELLINGTON DISPATCHES ' AN INSUFFICIENT EXCUSE — THE BAE-
EOSA INJUSTICE — COLONEL CAINE's EECOLLECTIONS — SIE SAMFOED
WEITES TO SIE EDWAED PAGET FOE EEDEESS AND SATISFACTION.
The extracts from private letters to his brotlier-in-law
must, from the limited space left, be henceforth fewer
and briefer than hitherto : —
' Mussourie, Uli May^ 1832. — I have been up on these
delightful hills nearly a fortnight. We are now nearly
in the hottest season of the year, and the thermome-
ter ranges in the house from 66° to 68° ! Lord and
Lady William Bentinck, Sir Edward and Lady Barnes,*
and their respective Staffs, are all at Simla, enjoying the
climate as much as I do. How much I wish the consent
of the directors may be obtained to the building of bar-
racks for one King's Eegiment at Thannah Toongra and
at Dumoultrie.'
' Mussourie, 22nd June. — I send you a plan of the
house, garden, and fields at Meerut. The house is one of
the best built houses in India, and the garden produces,
in the greatest abundance, strawberries, peaches, grapes,
* Sir Edward Barnes succeeded Lord Balhousie as Commander-in-Cliief
(See Appendix E.)
BAD HANDWRITING NO PROOF OF GREATNESS. 381
apples, pears, and all sorts of vegetables. The oat-field
produces oats for twelve horses. The whole extent of
the ground is about twenty acres. Lord Dalhousie was
particularly pleased with the beauty and comfort of the
house and all its appurtenances.'
' Mussourie, 1th Jidy. — Education and experience will
form any man to all the duties of our noble profession,
with one solitary exception. The Commander-in-Chief
must be formed by nature. Such men as our immortal
Duke are born, like poets, and not made. Everything
short of that highest pinnacle of glory is to be acquired
by a strong and determined resolution to neglect nothing
connected with our duty ; and that duty we shall never
neglect, if we constantly keep in mind that the lives of
thousands may become the sacrifice of either ignorance
or indifference on our part !
' Because some of the greatest men have had the mis-
fortune to write very ill, many silly dandies have had
the weakness to try to imitate them. They might as well
fancy they w^ere imitating the greatness of Alexander by
getting drunk.'*
' Mussourie, 20th September. — What I most desire is
always to be employed somewhere. Once laid upon the
shelf, and a man is lost. My health is so perfect in this
delightful climate, that I walk from five to six miles every
morning, and ride from ten to twelve every evening.
Business and general reading employ the rest of the day.
1 always dress by candle-light, and am generally out of
the house soon after five [a.m.] My occupation at Meerut,
during the cold season, will be incessant. Ten squadrons
of cavalry, and twelve pieces of horse-artillery, will en-
able me to give Sir Edward Barnes some good reviews.
And by the time he returns from Lucknow I shall have
four battalions of infantry ready for him, which will
* This general remark was appended to some strong criticisms upon the
penmanship of one of his sons.
382 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
enable me to give him some field-days of tlie three arms
together.'
From a letter from Lord William, dated ' Simla, 21st
October, 1832,' his Lordship expected to meet Sir Sam-
ford at Delhi, soon, and probably did so ; but no letters
of the period are at hand.
Lord William Bentinch to Sir S. Whittingham.
(Extract.)
^ GwALiOB, 10^/i Dcce^nher, 1832.
' I have letters to-day of an old date (June) from Eng-
land. They speak, like their predecessors, gloomily of
affairs present and in prospect ; and of the loss of respect
which our institutions have suffered. One tells us that we
must expect to find England Americanized by our return.
The King is said to dislike very much his Whig ministers,
as I supposed. I never saw this so directly stated before.
It cannot be otherwise. I fear he has neither discretion
nor silence to get well through the difficulties with which
he is beset, and much imprudence may compromize the
very throne itself. I hope you have succeeded with your
cavalry plan.
' Ever sincerely yours,
' W. Bentinck.'
[P.S.] ' Since I saw you, your Chief's new order about
King's commissions has appeared. Unless he has great
luck, and great protection, that order may prove his death
warrant.'
This postscript reminds the Editor of an appropriate
anecdote, which Sir Samford Whittingham often narrated.
A certain Commander-in-Chief, very fortunate, but not of
the very highest mental calibre, propounded to the Duke
of Wellington this important question, before saihng for
his new command : ' Supposing that the Governor-General
and I should not agree, what would happen ? ' To which
THE DUKE ON THE DISAGREEMENTS OF INDIAN CHIEFS. 383
liis Grace quietly and deliberately replied : ' If the Com-
mander-in-Chief and the Governor-General were to dis-
agree, one of the two would go to the wall. I leave you
to. decide which of the two that would be ! '
The General is said to have retired quite dumb-
founded.
Lady William Bentinck, one of the best and most
amiable of ladies, also occasionally corresponded with
Sir Samford Whittingham, who from his almost Quixote-
like pure and chivalrous feelings, manner, and conduct
towards all the fair sex, was naturally rewarded by uni-
versal popularity in that quarter. But limited space for-
bids entering into such matters.
We come now to the greatest trial of Sir Samford Whit-
tingham's long and arduous career. Although he had
been far from being what could be called one of For-
tune's favourites, and had had to work his way against
great difficulties to the distinction which he had acquired,
yet that distinction in 1831 had been very great and very
gratifying to his feelings. That the great Duke had not
forgotten his merits, more than confirming by words what
he had, sixteen years earlier, declared in writing; and that
Lord William Bentinck, his former Commander, and pre-
sent ruler of India, should in writing have confirmed and
adopted the great Duke's opinion, were priceless honours
calculated to turn the head of their recipient. Perhaps,
therefore, it was as a lesson of humility, that Providence
within a twelvemonth of vouchsafing the honours, de-
livered on the General's head its severest blow, or at least
permitted its infliction.
Of all the readers of ' Napier's History,' probably not
one sat down to peruse it for the first time with greater
interest and pleasure than the subject of this Memoir.
Certainly, very few were as capable, by natural and
acquired military talent, and by ardent military zeal, to
appreciate and relish its great merits. The volumes of
384 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
that work came out one by one, and already when the
two first were out, it was evident how little justice General
Whittingham could expect from that brilliant but preju-
diced writer.
True it is that ignorance might partly account for the
injustice. The greater part of the ' Duke's Dispatches '
were still sealed to the public, and their use was refused
to Colonel Napier, unfortunately, probably, for the cause
of truth and impartial justice. But this was only a partial
excuse. The dispatches of victory had been pubhshed in
the ' Gazettes,' and these at least might have been quoted
as the best authority for history. The first man of the
age had given in his ' Talavera Dispatch ' an honourable
place to Brigadier-General Whittingham, mentioning both
his wound and the fact of its being received whilst leading
two battalions of Spaniards into action. Not the slightest
allusion to either of these facts did ' Napier's History '
make ! Such was the justice of the man, whose third
volume, (the first edition of which came out in 1831),
with his account of the battle of Barrosa, must have been
seen by Sir Samford Whittingham at Meerut in the early
part of 1832. Captain (now Colonel) Caine remembers
the extreme indignation with which the General came to
his aide-de-camp's room to point out what he then con-
sidered to be a vile calumny. And though he afterwards
modified his opinion, his first judgment was not far wrong,
if a fact true in itself may be so unfairly stated as to leave
a calumnious impression on the reader, which was certainly
applicable to Napier's description.
But the absent are always in the wrong. And General
Whittingham was not only absent, but separated from all
those documents the study of which proves him free of
blame, and confirms the Duke of Wellington's repeatedly
expressed opinions of his merits and services.
AX INAUSPICIOUS DAY. 385
CHAPTEE XX.
1833—1835.
AN INAUSPICIOUS DAY — SIB, FREDEKICK ADAM, GOVERNOR OF MADRAS —
'LES absents ONT TOUJOURS tort' — A RECKLESS RIDER — A GENERAL
CALLS OUT AN ENSIGN — AN UNEXPECTED BROAD FRONT — CRUEL ONLY
TO BE KIND — LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK's COMMENTS ON THE DUEL — THE
GOVERNOR-GENERAL APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF — APPLICATION
FOR THE MILITARY SECRETARYSHIP — SIR SAMFORD's VALUE TO LORD
WILLIAM — A VERY HARD CASE — COLONEL NAPIER'S STATEMENT TOO
FAVOURABLY JUDGED BY ITS VICTIM — SIR SAMFORD UNJUST TO HIMSELF
— AN OFFICIAL LETTER ON BROKEN PROMISES — FIRST MEETING SINCE
CHILDHOOD OF FATHER AND SON — THE NILGHERRY HILLS — SIR EDWARD
PAGET AKD THE ' UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL ' — LORD WILLIAM's CON-
FIDENCE IN GENERAL WHITTINGHAM — BABINGTON MACAULAY, MEMBER
OF COUNCIL — SIR SAMFORD's ADMIRATION FOR THE PRUSSIAN MILITARY
SYSTEM — REQUESTS SIR EDWARD TO BE HIS SECOND IN A DUEL WITH
COLONEL NAPIER — SAILS FOR ENGLAND IN THE ' CURA^OA.'
Lord William Bentinck to Sir Samford Whittingharn.
(Extract.)
' Calcutta, '2lst March, 1833.
' I HEAR that our Commander-in- Chief returns to Simla
on the 1st of April, (an inauspicious day) but I doubt
whether his preceding discussion can be so soon brought
to a close. I am happy to say that so far our councils
have passed off with great harmony : and all that has
happened would never have occurred, had we started all
together in council, where he would better have under-
stood the business of the Government, and the absence
of all disposition on our parts to trench upon his just
authority. His ignorance of all these matters, and his
unwillingness to be informed by those about him here led
him 'into much present annoyance, and possibly to very
unpleasant future consequences.'
c c
386 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
Sir Samford wrote this year a ' Memoir on the Com-
petency of the Bengal Army,' which bears tlie date of
'Meerut, 22nd February, 1833.' Its more appropriate
title would have been : ' The Present Military and Poli-
tical State of Bengal and its Future Prospects' There is
no space to touch on this pamphlet, which embraced
Europe as well as Asia in its discussions.
In a letter dated 'Calcutta, 7th April, 1833,' after an
able commentary on European pohtics. Lord William
writes : ' I am still confident as when I last wrote, that
there will be no war. Your Chief is still here, and will
remain till further intelligence arrives. This place and
its gaieties suit him better than the monotony of Simla.
He has been fighting all his battles with the council o'er
again, but with of course the same success. I suppose
you are by this time snug in your cool cottage at Mussourie.
With best wishes ever sincerely yours,
'W. Bentinck.'
We revert to the correspondence with Mr. Davis : —
' Meerut, Sth March. — C appears to apply as we
could wish to his studies at Madras, and Sir Frederick
Adam * has been very kind to him. I have been very
busy of late preparing the field-day for the Commander-
in-Chief on his return to Calcutta. I have to show him
three battalions, ten squadrons, and twenty-four guns ;
and I think he will be pleased. I cannot tell you how
anxiously I am looking out for -'s name in the Gazette.
I expect to be relieved on the 29th July. Should this be
the case, I shall go down to Calcutta and stay a little
time with Lord William, then proceed to Madras to see
C , and home ! '
' Meerut, loth March. — I have written to you to-day
with my best thanks and fullest approbation of every-
* Sir Frederick was then Governor of Madras, after having been Lord
High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands.
' LES ABSENTS ONT TOUJOURS TORT.' 387
thing you have done about Colonel Napier ;^ but my
mind is so troubled at the idea of 's being sent to
the West Indies, that I have no rest and send you these
few lines by another conveyance, to request you will im-
mediately w^ait on Lord Hill and beg and entreat he will
exchange him into a regiment at home. I have not in the
last thirty years spent one year at home. My children do
not know me. I have been ten years in the East Indies
and two in the West I should not have courage
to bear up against such a disappointment.'
' Meerut, 2nd April. — I yesterday received your letter
of the 20th October. Colonel Napier's answer is con-
clusive, and the matter must now rest till my return.
' What I complain of in Colonel Napier's statement is,
not the fact of the non-co-operation of the Spanish cavalry,
which depended upon the repeated orders of the Spanish
Commander-in-Chief, but of the sneering manner in which
he has been pleased to introduce my name, and which
leaves me no choice but to convince him on the field of
honour that my conduct did not proceed from any want
of resolution.'
The ' Wellington Dispatches,' yet unpublished, and the
absence of all his papers, and the lapse of some twenty-
two years, made him overlook more tangible injustices
than a mere sneer, namely great misrepresentation of his
rank, position, and command on that day, and of his em-
ployment (as General of the advanced guard) in protect-
ing the right flank, which he had reported in v/riting to
La Peiia, and, more succinctly, verbally to Graham. Les
Absents ont toujours tort applied too truly to the case.
That very year came out in London, the second edition
of that third volume, which the permanent edition now
* Mr. Davis had written that Napier's account of Barrosa was ^an un-
founded calumny ' in General Whittingham's opinion, for which he would
demand satisfaction as soon as he returned to England.
c c 2
388 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WJIITTINGHAM.
used entirely follows ; and the injustice is thus perpetuated
for ever ! '
In a letter from Lord Wilham, dated Calcutta, 15th
June, 1833, addressed to Sir Samford (then on the Mus-
sourie hills) and marked ' private ' and full of local politics
and of his difference with Sir Edward Barnes, occurs this
friendly passage : ' Pray let me know when you expect
to be in Calcutta. We shall be most happy to receive
you whenever you come.'
At the Mussourie hills on the evening of the 26th
June, 1833, Sir Samford Whittingham was taking his even-
ing ride, with a party of ladies and gentlemen, amongst
the former of whom was the wife of Doctor Magrath.
At a narrow and dangerous part of the road, a Euro-
pean without hat, jacket, or cravat, came riding at a
furious pace. Most of the persons who saw him con-
sidered him drunk. He nearly ran against some of them,
and frightened several ladies. The General was riding
with four or ^ve of the party at the time, when the
European in question rode up against him and nearly
knocked his pony over the precipice. Sir Samford, feel-
ing indignant at this outrage, and conceiving the offender
to be some low European, in a hasty moment, struck him
with his whip. The person rode on without taking any
notice, and the General sent an officer after him to see
who he was. He was discovered to be Ensign H ,
26th N.I., then on leave at Mussourie.
This officer, it appears, on learning who had struck
him, revenged himself by sending round next day an
abusive circular against the ' person on horse-back ' w^ho
had assaulted him, justifying his outrageous language
under the pretence of having been unable to discover
the aggressor.
The General sent his aide-de-camp. Captain Caine, to
call out the Ensign, and the meeting was arranged for the
next morning. That evening Sir Samford had a dinner-
THE DUEL — AN UJSTISXPECTED BROAD FRONT. 389
party, at which he was as gay and agreeable as usual, as
if nothing serious had occurred. Mrs. Magrath was one
of the party, and had no suspicion whatever of any im-
pending evil. She knew indeed of the circular; for a
Colonel of infantry, almost with tears in his eyes (so
affected was he by the insult to his Chief), had acquainted
her with the circumstance ; but she doubtless never sup-
posed that a General Officer would fight a duel with an
Ensign. Her younger brother, a youth who was await-
ing his commission in the army, through the interest of
the General, had, however, his suspicions, and following
the dneUists unperceived on the morning of the 28th June
witnessed the result of the meeting, and hastened to his
astonished sister not long afterwards, with the joyful ex-
clamation, ' The General is safe ! '
Ensign H fired at Sir Samford without effect ; who
in return fired in the air ; he who it has been said could
snuff a candle with a pistol ball, and to whose skill as a
shot the late gallant Lord Fife has borne his spontaneous
testimony.* The General then told the Ensign, that
having now met him as a gentleman, he had no hesitation
in saying that when he (Ensign H.) rode up against him,
he (the General) could not have supposed him to be an
officer. In fact he had taken him for some low drunken
European, and under that impression, added to the irri-
tating attendant circumstances, had struck him. The
General added that private satisfaction having been af-
forded, they resumed their relative positions, and he
ordered Ensign H to go to his room and consider
himself in arrest. The young gentleman then expressed
great contrition for his offence. He said he did not know
the General at the time and that he ' felt highly honoured
by the handsome manner in which Sir Samford had
behaved to him.'
In this duel, the General who was very stout in person,
* Vide Preface.
390 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WITTTTIXGHAM.
astonished his second by unexpectedly presenting his full
and broad front to his youthful antagonist. Colonel Caine
writes (on the 16th July, 1867, to the Editor) : ' The
opponents were placed by me with their right sides facing
each other, and on giving the signal to fire I was aston-
ished to see Sir Samford coolly change position by offer-
ing his entire front to his adversary. Before I could
interpose, Mr. H fired in the direction of the General,
and the latter discharged his pistol in the air.'
The General observing that his aide-de-camp did not
look pleased at the affair ending with an arrest, kindly
explained to that officer ' that by thus taking the matter
into his own hands, the three Lieutenant-Colonels who
had been desirous to try Mr. H by court-martial,
would now be disarmed.' So that the aide-de-camp was
(to quote his own words) ' fully satisfied that the General's
reasoning was sound and kind.'
Ensign H afterwards sent to Captain Caine a writ-
ten apology to Sir Samford, and a request for lenient con-
sideration, accompanied by another apology to the ladies
and gentlemen concerned. On Captain Caine delivering
the two apologies to the General, he, in consideration of
Mr. H 's youth and inexperience, and his being the
son of General Sir M. H — — , governor of Castle,
pardoned and released him from arrest.*
It appears that on the 17th August Sir Samford sent
Lord William Bentinck an account of this affair of honour
that never reached its destination ; so that he had to
write again. The following was the reply of his Lord-
ship : —
' Calcutta, 28^A September, 1833.
' My dear Sir S. Ford, — I am sorry to say that I have
not received your letter of the 17th August ; and as being
* This account (so far as relates to the co?ite7iding parties) is abbreviated
from one of tbe formal copies of the full proceedings made out by Captain
Caine on the 1st July, 1833. The greater part of Colonel Caine's recent
letter only contains the same statements which he signed in 1833.
THE GOV-GEN. MADE COM-IN-CIIIEP. 391
upon a question in whicli your own person and honour,
all, in short, upon which a friend ought to feel the most
anxious and concerned, I do indeed lament that I did
not sooner express the feelings I entertain. But in this
case particularly, and with all such cases, all's well that
ends well. It appears to me that the first sally apart,
which it might be almost too fastidious to find fault with,
no friend of yours could have wished a difierent decision
upon any of the incidents which occurred in this trans-
action. It was a disagreeable predicament ; but as long
as the opinion of the world holds its present sway, and
toleration, in these matters, I think you could not have
acted otherwise than you did.
' I have said to you nothing of the honour, which,
according to report, has been thrust upon me ; because,
except where some necessity might compel me to act
otherwise, delicacy required me to be silent. I have had
no letter from London till to-day later than the 14th May.
This day, by the ''Anna Maria,'' I received an official
letter from the Adjutant-General informing me of the
King's having appointed me to command his forces in
India. . . . . This is a feather in my cap ; it is a mark
of confidence which, as I must soon make my bow to the
public, I am well pleased to receive. But there may be
much trouble, and no advantage to myself, that I at pre-
sent foresee. I say there, may be much trouble, for if I
take only as much as two of my three predecessors —
perhaps I may say of the third also — save and except the
time spent in altercation, the office would be very much
of a sinecure. I cannot do as much as I -could wish, or
I ought ; but what remains of zeal, health, and strength, I
shall not fail to put into the work. But my career is too
near its end to enable me to deal efficaciously with some
evils, the nature of which you know better than I do.
This event makes me regret more than ever your depar-
ture from India. But why expend lamentation upon an
392 MEMOIR OP Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
evil, which it has been attempted in vain to remedy. I
have no conception how Sir Edward [Barnes] will hke
this order. I have been in the predicament,* and I know
therefore how unpleasant it is. I sent him by express
the earliest intelligence of the fact, which I had first re-
ceived from Sir F. Adam. I think he will take kindly
my having done so ; though it is not quite a certain mat-
ter of calculation what he will say or do, even on points
where the greater number generally coincide. But I
hope he may. For though his impracticability has been
an annoyance, yet his fine quahties interest and please.
He, no doubt, will think himself the worst used man in
the world. It would give me sincere pleasure [to find]
that he was going to the Cape. But I doubt the truth of
the report. That appointment must have been filled up
before the causes leading to Sir E.'s recall could have
been known.
' Ever sincerely yours,
' W. Bentinck.'
Before this letter was written, viz., on the 20th Septem-
ber, Sir Samford had written from Mussourie to congra-
tulate the new Commander-in-Chief, and to ask to be his
Military Secretary, being anxious for his children's sake
to prolong his stay in India. But Lord William had
already offered the post to his old friend General Sleigh,
the late Lieut.-Colonel of the cavalry regiment of which
his Lordship was Colonel.
From Lord William. Bentinck.
(Extract.)
' Calcutta, l^th October ^ 1833.
' My dear Sir S. Ford, — [After explaining why Briga-
dier-General Sleigh had been offered the Secretaryship,
Lord W. writes:] 'You certainly occurred to me. But
* His Lordsliip in his younger days liad been recalled from the govern-
ment of Madras.
SIR SAMFORD's value to lord WILLIAM. 393
I did not imagine that the appointment, curtailed as it is
likely to be, would be acceptable to you.' [He then pro-
mises it if Sleigh should refuse it, and adds :] ' Your
acceptance of it will be very agreeable both to myself
and Lady William. Our long acquaintance — our mutual
friendship — your experience and knowledge of the Indian
army — are all circumstances combining to make me con-
template the event with great satisfaction.'
Lord William, in a letter dated ' Barrackpoor, 23rd
October, 1833,' reminds Sir Samford that all ostensible
business in Lidia passed through the Company's, not the
King's, staff officers ; and that merely as military secre-
tary, he could not be of much use to Lord William. His
Lordship continues : ' Your value to me will arise from
your fining a very different character, that of friend and
counsellor ; whose capability to give the most useful assist-
ance is derived from great knowledge of India and of
her armies^ coupled with great practical experience in the
art of war and the formation of armies. This estimate
is formed upon no conjecture^ hut upon my long personal
acquaintance with you; to say nothing of the valuable
papers^ upon all subjects^ which you have had the goodness
to give me from time to time.'
We see that the cold and calm Dutchman^ (the great
civil and military ruler of India) could almost rival Sir
Edward Paget in esteem for Sir Samford Whittingham ;
and hard it certainly was that the man thus highly
honoured and esteemed by so many successive chiefs and
rulers, was driven eagerly to desire once more to risk a
life so valuable to his children and so useful to his coun-
try, to vindicate his honour and that good name which
by word and pen Wellington himself had established — or
at least had endeavoured to establish !
General Sleigh accepted the MiHtary Secretaryship ;
* So he was called in allusion both to his ancestors, and to his own
imperturbability.
394 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
but owing to the sickness of Mrs. Sleigh, at first delayed
his journey to Lord William, and Sir Samford therefore
acted in his stead, and thus became one of the Governor-
General's family for nearly all the rest of his stay in
India.
His private correspondence this year with his brother-
in-law is chiefly taken up with domestic matters. But in
one letter of 30th November he repeats more at large
his intentions of calling out Colonel Napier, — without
returning his fire, however, — and only to convince him
of his courage.
General Sleigh took up his appointment as Military
Secretary, and Sir Samford prepared to sail to Madras, on
his way to England, as he had now no employment in
India. To his brother-in-law he writes :
' Calcutta^ 4:th January, 1834. — I thought I should have
long since sailed for Madras, but Lord William has de-
tained me on business ; and as I shall accompany him to
that presidency, and may be detained there some months,
I fear the time of our meeting is more distant than we
had both hoped. My only consolation is that it will give
me time to become acquainted with dear C , in whose
fate I take the deepest and most lively interest. In his
correspondence with me he is amiable beyond expression.
All that he appears to me to want is more confidence in
himself. I am living at Government House, and I am
treated more like a brother than a guest.'
General Sleigh preferring to remain at Calcutta, Sir
Samford accompanied Lord Wilham Bentinck, as acting
Military Secretary.
' Calcutta, 9th January, 1834. — I go with Lord William
to Madras, and shall carry home his dispatches. We shall
leave this immediately after the arrival of Sir Edward
Barnes, who is expected in a few days.' *
* Thougli recalled, Sir Edward Barnes was allowed to await his suc-
cessor.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER ON BROKEN PROMISES. 395
The following official letter testifies that the word
neglected^ which Sir Edward Paget was so fond of ap-
plying to his ' dear and excellent friend' was becoming
more applicable than ever, as far as regarded the Home
authorities : —
To His Excellency General the Right Honourable
Lord William Bentinck, G.C.B. ^c.
' Calcutta, IQth January, 1834.
' My Lord, — The friendship with which for upwards of
twenty-five years you have been pleased to honour me,
leads me to hope you will have the goodness to submit
the following statement to the favourable consideration
of Lord Hill.
' The whole of my military career has been in the
cavalry. I have never done a day's duty with any corps
of infantry. I began in the Life Guards, and held a troop
in the 13th Light Dragoons on the breaking out of the
Spanish war. In Spain, I had under my command twelve
regiments of cavalry ; and the ' Book of Tactics for Bri-
gade Exercises,' which I arranged and published at my
own expense, for the use of the Spanish cavalry under my
orders, was adopted for the whole of that arm in Spain.
* During the eleven years of my service in Lidia, my
time and attention have been directed particularly to that
branch of the army, and during the last cold season ten
squadrons were assembled at Meerut, by your Lordship's
direction, for the purpose of Brigade exercise under my
command. I was promised a regiment by the late Duke
of York, by his late Majesty George the Fourth, and by
the Duke of Wellington.
' The chances of life * have prevented the realization
of these promises. But if your Lordship should be pleased
to recommend me to the Commander-in-Chief for the first
regiment of cavalry that may become vacant I love to
* The deaths of the two first, and the removal from office of the third.
396 MEMOIli OF SIR S. F. WIIITTIXGIIAM.
hope [that] my claims might be taken into favourable
consideration.
' I have the honour to be,
' My Lord,
' Your obedient servant,
' Samford Whittingham/
^Madras, 6th February, 1834. — My dearest Brother, I
arrived here yesterday morning, after a tedious voyage
from Calcutta, which I left on the 17th of last month. I
found my dearest C. in rather better health than I ex-
pected, and am now lodged in the comfortable mansion
of Colonel Monteith, who is so complete a soldier that
I am quite delighted with him. Mrs. Monteith, who is
a worthy daughter of her admirable parents,* received
me as the friend of her early days. She is looking quite
well and very happy, and as fond of India as I am, which
is saying a great deal. I knew her instantly. But of
C I had not the smallest recollection ; when he came
into the room, I said, " are you C .^" and when he said
" yes," I could scarcely believe him ! I know
of no career in any part of the world to be compared to
the civil service of India.'
' Bangalore, Wth March. — A severe indisposition of
Lord William renders it advisable to look out for a change
of air ; and we are in consequence all going with him up
to the Nilgherry Hills. I am with him as his acting
Military Secretary, and cannot of course leave him till he
returns to Calcutta.
' C is here hy order, and employed in the office of
the Governor-General's Private Secretary.
' It was truly kind in Lord William to propose this
himself.'
In a letter dated ' Bangalore, 12th March, 1834,' Sir
Samford sends Lord Wilham a rough copy of his inten-
* Mr and Mrs. Murdoch, of Portland Place, very old friends of Sir Sam-
ford Whittingham.
SIR EDWARD AND THE 'UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL.' 397
tions regarding the writing of an ' Expose of tlie State of
Indian Affairs.'
The scene now changes to England : —
Sir Edward Paget to Mr. Davis.
(Extract.)
' Royal Military College, ld>th March, 1834.
' My dear Davis, — The observations on Cavalry Move-
ments, mentioned in Whittingham's letter, I have sent to
the Editor of the ' United Service Journal.' You see all
the doctors have not yet done much for my feeble arm.' *
The following letter was enclosed in Sir Edward's
note : —
Major Shadwell Gierke to Major Procter.
' Athen^tim, 20th March, 1834.
' My dear Procter, — I have just received and, though
late in the month, shall make a point of inserting in the
next (April) Number of the Journal, the striking sugges-
tions of Sir S. Whittingham on Cavalry Tactics.
' Assure Sir Edward, with my best compliments, that I
receive this communication with much satisfaction both
on account of the medium through which it is offered,
the recommendation of Sir Edward being in any case
conclusive with me, and also as giving earnest of further
contributions from the same eminent and competent
quarter. Perhaps Sir Edward would do me the favour
to state my hopes on this point to his experienced cor-
respondent, whom I should feel pride in numbering
amongst the Paladins of the U. S. Journal. . . .
' In haste, but ever truly yours,
' T. H. Shadwell Clerke.' f
* His left, the only one he had, which it appears had been ailing ; and
which fact was visible in his hand-writing.
t Major T. H. Shadwell Clerke, K.H., had lost a leg in the Peninsular
war. The monthly he edited is now styled ' United Service Magazine.^
Thirty years ago it had a great circulation in the army.
398 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
At the commencement of 1834, Sir Edward Paget
sent to Lord Fitzroy Somerset, General Whittingham's
last Memoir on India. On the 11th January it was re-
turned with thanks, and with the observation : ' Our friend
Whittingham's views are very extensive.' We return to
India, and the fraternal correspondence.
'Bangalore, VI th March, 1834. — Lord William left us
on the 15th for the Mlgherry Hills. Colonel Casement
and his party follow to-morrow. C is with us, and
attached to the office of the Governor-General's Private
Secretary. I am with Lord W. as his " Acting Military
Secretary," as Sleigh, Torrens, Lumley, &c., have re-
mained with their respective offices at Calcutta. My
employment is ample, but I like everything connected
with Lord William, and never think I have too much to
do. Since our arrival here his Lordship has been dan-
gerously ill ; but he is now quite recovered, and only
wants change of air. Lord William is most anxious to
render C every service in his power ; and I could
not be kinder to him than is Sir Frederick Adam. Lord
William and Sir Frederick really take as much interest in
C as I do.'
In a letter dated ' Outacamund, 13th April, 1834,' he
gives the Governor-General his opinion on ' the late short
campaign with the Eajah of Courg,' and on its results
and their general importance, observations much in the
style of those which Lord William had before so flatter-
ingly appreciated.
On the 29th April he thanks his Lordship for trans-
mitting for his perusal two interesting minutes of the
26th March, 1831, and of the 27th January, 183.4. It
was a case of contention between the Governor-General
and the Court of Directors, who objected to certain
necessary new roads on the score of expense. Sir Sam-
ford as usual takes the opportunity of criticizing the Com-
LOTiD WILLIAM'S CONFIDENCE IN GEN. WHITTINGIIAM. 399
pany's system, in which he had the full sympathy of liis
noble and able correspondent.
' Outacamund, 9th May, 1834. — I do not recollect at
any period of my life to have been more busily and con-
stantly employed than at present. But I am so sincerely
attached to our excellent Chief, that I go through the
work with pleasure.
' Outacamund, 14^A July. — I cannot tell you in what
month I shall embark for England. I leave my move-
ments entirely to the decision of Lord William, to whom
I every day feel a stronger attachment, and whose kind-
ness to me is unbounded.
' His Lordship's health, and that of all the party have
found infinite benefit from our residence in this cool cli-
mate, where the thermometer at no part of the summer
has exceeded 65° in a room with a fire. The Supreme
Council of India has commenced its sittings in these re-
mote mountains. Mr. [Babington] Macau] ay has arrived
and taken his seat. He lives with his Lordship, and is
assuredly one of the best informed men 1 ever met with.
Your old friend. Sir Frederick Adam, is also up here, and
a temporary member of the Council. It is to me a
source of great delight and comfort, having C. with me
under the same roof. His room adjoins to mine, and he
forms one of his Lordship's family.'
Soon after this, a vacancy occurring amongst the Gene-
rals of Madras, General Sleigh received the appointment,
and the acting Military Secretary was, on his return to
Calcutta, to obtain the permanent appointment during the
rest of Lord William's stay. Hitherto he had done all the
duties gratis, receiving ' no pay from any one.'
Sir Samford Whittingham to Sir Edward Paget.
(Extract.)
' Bangalore, bth October, 1834.
' I send you rather a long Memoir in three parts, the
result of twelve years' meditation on a most interesting
400 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
subject.* I know you will read it for my sake, and I beg
you will make what use of it you please. You will see
that it is quite of a confidential nature. I have given a
copy of the Memoir to Lord William, who has been
pleased to call it excellent, and to say that every word
contained in it is true. To you and to him, as the two
best friends I have in the world, I have submitted it, but
to no other person
' It is now settled that I am to remain with Lord Wil-
liam as his Military Secretary till he quits India. He is
now on his way down from Outacamund, on the Mlgherry
Hills, and I expect he will arrive to-morrow. I came
here yesterday. We shall soon proceed to Madras, and
we hope to be in Calcutta in the course of the month of
November. His Lordship's health is quite restored by his
sejour on the hills.'
Eeverting to the fraternal correspondence : —
' Calcutta, IQth November, 1834. — I accompanied Lord
William Bentinck to this place from Madras, and landed
on the 12th instant. I have derived no other benefit
from acting as Military Secretary than that of making
myself useful to a man I so highly respect and admire.
But it was not in his Lordship's power to give me pecu-
niary remuneration of any kind.'
' Calcutta, 2ith November. — General Sleigh will be put
in orders in a few days to succeed Sir J. Barns at Poonah,
Bombay ; and I shall then be put in orders as Mihtary
Secretary, and will commence the first pay I shall have
drawn since the 1st of last August twelvemonth. I cer-
tainly never was more honoured and distinguished than
under my present Chief; but my case is somewhat like
that of Gril Bias with the Duke of Lerma, ' y la hambre
corre parejos con la gala.'f If they don't give me a
* The Editor is uncertain in regard to the subject of this Memoir. (See
Appendix F.)
t ' And hunger runs in couples with display.'
ADMIRATION FOR THE PRUSSIAN MILITARY SYSTEM. 401
regiment on my return home, I know not what to do ;
for it is late in life to look out for another trade ! '
^ Barrackpore, oOth' November. — C was to join his
station at Cuddalore on the 1st January next. His
health was good, and he appears now to prefer the
Madras Presidency to this. Nothing can exceed Sir
Frederick Adam's kindness to him. Sir Frederick is now
here on a visit to Lord WiUiam.'
' Barrackpore, 2nd February, 1835. — As I am most
anxious that should pass at least a year at Potsdam,*
I purpose taking him there within a month of my arrival
in England, if I can obtain Lord Hill's leave to do so.
Will you procure, from Mr. Frere, the necessary informa-
tion as to the best mode of settling at Potsdam under the
care of some old Prussian officer, who is in the habit of
taking a limited number of pupils ? I consider this finish
to his education as of great importance to .
' From this date I receive pay. Before not a rupee. I
had the honour and labour, but not the profit. I was
a hardy volunteer in the ranks of his Lordship, whom I
have known for twenty-seven years. I was employed by
him in the year 1808, in his negotiations with the Spanish
Government at Aranjuez. I served under his orders on
the eastern coast of Spain, and now in India. By the
enclosed letter and statement, which both his Lordship
and Sir Frederick Adam have seen and approved, you
will perceive that I ask my good friend Sir Edward
Paget, to arrange a meeting between me and Colonel
Napier. It is a military business altogether, and I feel
satisfied Sir Edward will not refuse my request. f Pray
send the letter and statement to him immediately, and tell
him that I ^vill, with his permission, go direct to his home
from the place of my landing in England, and from
* In numberless letters he had repeated this determination, so high was
his opinion of the Prussian military system. He did not, however, go to
Berlin himself.
t In this he was mistaken j nor can anyone blame Sir Edward Paget.
D D
402 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
thence to the meeting, wherever it may be appointed
to take place.
*I return to England in the ^^ Curaqoa^'' with Lord
Wilham Bentinck. We shall sail at the latest by the
middle of March, and only touch at the Cape, so that, it
is thought, we shall be at home very early in July.'
To judge fairly on points of honour thirty or forty
years ago, the reader must remember facts then con-
sidered natural, which if they occurred now would excite
mingled ridicule and indignation. A few years before
Sir Samford returned to England, the Duke of Wellington
had, when Premier of England^ challenged and fought
with the Earl of Winchelsea, on account of a hasty and
not very insulting remark on the part of the latter peer.
And Sir Eobert Peel had frequently displayed his eager
readiness to resort to the arbitration of a pistol-shot. In
this case both Lord William Bentinck and Sir Frederick
Adam had approved of the determination taken by Sir
Samford Whittingham — a fact which should be remem-
bered in forming an opinion on the matter : —
Sir Samford Whittingham to Sir Edward Paget.
' Calcutta, 7th February, 1835.
'My dear General, — I avail myself of the friendship
with which you have so long honoured me, to request
you will have the goodness to arrange a meeting between
me and Colonel Napier, and accompany me to the
ground.
'The enclosed statement, which I will thank you to
deliver to the Colonel, after the meeting shall have taken
place, will explain the cause of this appeal, and the object
I have in view.
' It is not my intention to return the Colonel's fire, and
if I faU I request that no proceedings may take place
ARRIVES IN ENGLAND. 403
against Colonel Napier. The afiair is exclusively my own
seeking, and neither blame nor responsibility should
attach to him.
This circumstance* could alone justify my application
to you in your position as a father and a husband. I
feel confident you will not refuse an old friend the
only favour he ever asked at your hands. I am anxious
the meeting should take place with the least possible
delay.
' Ever, my dear General, most sincerely yours,
* Samford Whittingham.*
' General The Hon. Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B.,
< &c. &c. &c.'
The ' Curaqoa ' must have sailed in February, probably
soon after the above letter was written, for it arrived in
England in the early part of July, and a voyage was
rarely less than five months at that period.
He thus returned to England, after an absence in India
of nearly thirteen years, passed in continuous hard labour
— mental and bodily— in the service of his King and
country, under the orders of six successive Commanders-
in-chief, all of whom he had served to his own credit, and
to their complete satisfaction. His popularity with his
subordinates, in spite of his great professional strictness,
was a matter of general notoriety ; and, as the late Lord
Cowley said of him at his departure from Spain, it might
have been said in regard to India : ' He leaves this
country with the testimony of all ranks in his favour.'
The completion of Lord Cowley's remarks as to the
absence of rewards for his ' valuable services ' would
equally have applied to his long services in India.
* Not returning his adversary's fire"; and thus lessening the responsibility
of his second.
D D 2
404 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE XXI.
1835—1836.
MR. DAYIS'S LETTER TO SIR E. PAGET — SIR EDWARD DECLINES TO TAKE
PART IN A DUEL — SIR RUEANE DONKIN's DECISIVE CONDUCT APPROVED
BY SIR EDWARD PAGET — A DOUBLE BREACH OF EAITH — A QUESTION LEFT
TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE READER — INTERVIEWS WITH 'tHE DUKE' AND
lord glenelg — men of no party apt to be neglected — the com-
piler of the immortal ^dispatches' consults sir samford— lord
Auckland's invitation — his lordship's notes to sir samford —
the hon. admiral fleeming — lord elphinstone — lord william
BENTINCK'S dinner to lord AUCKLAND — LORD GEORGE BENTINCK —
ROYAL PRESENTATION — THE KING's QUESTIONS — WILLIAM IV. 's FLAT-
TERING FINALE — SIR H. TAYLOR's LETTER ON THE DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM
KNIGHTON — THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON ON THE SAME SUBJECT — SIR
SAMFORD WHITTINGHAM'S REPLY TO HIS GRACE — SIR EDWARD PAGET's
FAREWELL — LORD WILLIAM DENTIN CK's FAREWELL — HIS LORDSHIP'S
PHILOSOPHY — CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN SIR SAMFORD AND LORD PAL-
MERSTON — PORTSMOUTH HOSPITALITIES — EMBARKATION.
Mr. Davis to the Hon. Sir Edward Paget.
[Fenton House] ^ Hampstead Heath, 8th July, 1835.
* My dear Sir Edward, — The enclosed papers from dear
Whittingham reached me this day. I forward them
without a moment's delay, as we may now expect his
arrival from day to day. Whittingham has mentioned
this affair to Lord William Bentinck and to Sir Frederick
Adam. They both approve of the mode our friend has
taken to vindicate his military character. If you accept
the office, the time and place must be determined by
your own convenience. Make use of me in any way in
which I can be made serviceable. I shall feel deeply
SIR E. PAGET DECLINES TO TAKE PART IN A DUEL. 405
until this painful afiair is at an end, and I pray God that
the result may be favourable.
' Ever, my dear Sir Edward,
' Your affectionate friend,
' E. Hart Davis.'
Sir Edward Paget to Mr. Davis.
' CowES Castle, 9th July, 1835.
' My dear Davis, — I have this morning received your
letter, and the inclosures from Whittingham, which caused
me the greatest uneasiness. To refuse anytliing to him or
to you, who have been to me such warm and zealous
friends, is one of the severest trials I have had in my life.
But I have no help for it. My position (which my
circumstances will not permit me to abandon) impera-
tively forbids me to take part in this affair. Whittingham,
in his letter to me, most kindly considers my situation as
' a father and a husband ; ' but he quite overlooks (which
I imagine is also your case) the public position in which
I stand at the head of the Eoyal Military Colleg(^. In
fact, I am reduced to the necessity of divulging to you
that this consideration compelled me advisedly to decline
a similar proposal made to me by Lord C S
some years ago. And I will tell you further, that fore-
seeing the possibility of the present case arising, I could
not satisfy myself without confidentially consulting Sir
George Murray on the subject — an old and tried friend
and before me Governor of the establishment — who gave
it as his fixed and deliberate opinion, that it was im-
possible for me (consistently with my tenure of the
appointment) to engage in such an affair.
' Thus, my dear Davis, you have the fact ; which I will
not clog with reasonings, which, I have no doubt, will
occur both to Whittingham and yourself, the moment the
subject is proposed to you. Under these circumstances,
I have nothing for it but to return to you the written
406
MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Statement which accompanied Whittingham's letter to me,
and to intreat you, when you return it to him, to place
this letter in his hands at the same time. Heaven protect
him !
' Ever, my dear Davis, yours affectionately,
'E.P/
Sir Edward Paget to Mr. Davis.
* R. M. College, Uth July, 1835.
'My dear Davis, — I have received this morning the
duphcate of the letter and statement, which you sent to
me on the 8th instant. It has the Portsmouth postmark
upon it, and is dated " Calcutta, 7th February." I see in
the papers the arrival of the " Curaqoa'' on Sunday at
Portsmouth; but am left in doubt whether the letter
came by that ship, or whether Whittingham himself is a
passenger in her. This would add perplexity to my
sorrow and vexation of spirit, if I did not feel certain that
you will be the first to see him on his arrival, and
will show him at once how I am circumstanced with
respect to the matter he writes to me upon. Pray put
me out of doubt on the question of his arrival, by return
of post. The kind and considerate letter which I received
from you on Sunday has afforded me the only moment of
comfort I have had since your letter of the 8th instant
reached me at Cowes. Your son will have told you
before this reaches you that your nephew has passed
his examination, and is placed in the same company with
Dundas.
' Ever affectionately yours,
' Edward Paget.'
The reader is aware that Sir Samford did arrive in the
' CuraqoaJ On learning at Mr. Davis's house, that Sir
Edward could not be his second, he appears to have
immediately applied to Sir Eufane Donkin, his old Penin-
sular friend, to whom he had formerly afforded a friendly
SIR RUFANE DONKIN'S DECISIVE CONDUCT. 407
countenance and support, when virulently attacked by
a brave but impatient British admiral, about the Tarra-
gona affair. Sir Eufane took the matter into his own
hands, settled it his own way and having obtained the
sanction of Mr. Davis — who was naturally inclined (if
possible, with honour), for a peaceful solution — he, in
a manner, ignored the wishes of his principal altogether.
On the 24th July, Mr. Davis wrote to inform Sir
Edward Paget that ' this day the affair between Sir S. W.
and Colonel N. has been arranged to the mutual satisfac-
tion of each party.' But this was rather a sanguine view
of the matter in regard to his brother-in-law, as the
following letter will establish : —
Sir Samford Whittingharn to Sir Edward Paget.
(Extract.)
[38] ^Conduit Street, 28th July, 1835.
'My dear General, — I will not apologize for not
answering your letter with greater punctuality, because it
has not depended upon myself.
'When I placed my statement in the hands of Sir
Eufane Donkin, and requested him to arrange a meeting
with Colonel Napier, he gave me his opinion without
hesitation — that it was too absurd to be thought of, and
that he must be allowed to come to an explanation with
the Colonel (his particular friend) on the subject
' A long correspondence ensued, and the result is that
Hart Davis has withdrawn his accusation of unfounded
calumny ; and that Colonel Napier will state my explana-
tion of the pecuhar circumstances under which I was
placed at Barrosa, in the third edition of his work on the
Peninsular War, now about to appear.
' I have yielded a reluctant consent to this arrange-
ment, because I conceived, and do still conceive, that
after what had passed, the explanation would have been
408 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
more proper, and certainly more in harmony with my
feehngs, after I should have received the Colonel's fire.
' Once again let me thank you, from the very bottom of
my soul, for the deep interest you have taken in my wel-
fare. Your friendship and esteem are the glory and
honour and comfort of my life. I knpw of no earthly
advantage against which I would exchange them.
' Most devotedly and affectionately attached,
* Samford Whittingham.'
Sir Edward Paget to Sir Samford Whittingham.
< E. M. C, 2m Jtdy, 1835.
* Accept, my dear good friend, my most sincere and
cordial thanks for the gratifying letter received from you
this morning. In spite of your personal feelings, you
must allow me to say that I cannot admire sufficiently
the judicious and off-hand course pursued by Sir Eufane
Donkin on this occasion. Neither was it possible for
Hart Davis to do otherwise under the circumstances of
the case than he has done. I will not attempt with pen
and ink to talk over this long and interesting history
with you ; but let me hope that the day is at hand, when
I may have the happiness of seeing you under this roof
with our dear and excellent friend Hart Davis. Arrange
your own time with him, but let it be before the 10th
August, as I have engagements after that day for a
fortnight, over which 1 have no control. Lady Harriet
most cordially joins in my petition to you both, and I
rather fancy there is up at College a certain little A 17 * .
who will not be sorry for such an arrangement.
'E. P.'
* Richard Hart Wliittingham, youngest son of Sir Samford, was then a
college cadet. He did not survive his father two years, but as Adjutant of
the 71st Highland Light Infantry, he had already obtained the affection and
esteem of his Commanding Officer, Lieut. -Colonel (now General) the Hon.
Charles Grey, and of his brother officers to an astonishing degree, as was
communicated after his death to the Editor, on the part of the regiment.
A DOUBLE BREACH OF FAITH. 409
There is every reason to believe that neither Sir
Edward Paget nor Sir Samford Whittingham were ever
made fully acquainted with the details of the negotiation
which was carried on, almost in spite of Sir Samford,
between Sir Eufane Donkin and Sir William Napier, in
which the former went so far as to betray the intention of
Sir Samford Whittingham not to return the fire of his
adversary ! Indeed, as Sir Eufane ^ was resolved at all
costs to impede the duel, he would naturally, as involving
his own breach of confidence, conceal from Sir Samford,
those details which under a half transparent veil have
been published in the Life of Sir William Napier, after
the deaths of all concerned. Otherwise the affair could
not possibly have ended so peacefully as it did. That
Mr. Davis was to withdraw his accusation of unfounded
calumny, and that an explanatory note was to appear
in future editions about Barrosa, and that at least partial
justice was to be done as regards Talavera, was it appears
all that Sir Samford or Sir Edward Paget were ever told
of Sir Eufane Donkin's proceedings ; and no direct com-
munications ever took place between Sir William JSTapier
and Sir Samford Whittingham.
It is quite as erroneous therefore, as it is improbable,
to suppose that Sir Samford was ever made acquainted
with the style and tone of Sir William's conversations
with Sir Eufane. Till the publication of the life of the
former, the matter appears to have been kept secret
between the two officers concerned ; and it is to be
regretted that it was ever divulged.
But what is certain is that there has been a most
lamentable double breach of faith. Not only has the
explanatory note printed in one edition since disappeared
for ever ; but no attempt it appears was ever made by
Sir Wilham Napier to fulfil the other promise made to Sir
Eufane Donkin (as recorded in the ' Life of Sir Wilham ')
to render at least a partial justice to Sir Samford Whit-
410 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
tingham in regard to the battle of Talavera. The fact
of this breach of promise is not denied by the editor
of Sir William Napier's Life, whose defence is that it
must have been caused by accidental forgetfulness ; and,
for the reasons mentioned in the Preface, the Editor of
this work would gladly take a charitable view of the
question. But all he can do with honour, under exist-
ing circumstances, is to leave the matter to the judg-
ment of his readers. Justice and love of fair play are
supposed to be precious in the sight of Englishmen, and
it is to be hoped that the old Eoman saying still holds
good in a Christian country, that, 'truth is great and
will prevail.'
Before the affair with Napier was settled, Sir Samford
applied for an interview v^th the Duke of Wellington.
The following was the reply : —
The Duke of Wellington to Sir Samford Whittingham.
[Apsley House] ' London, 20th July, 1835.
' My dear General, — I shall be very happy to see you
if you will call here on Wednesday at 12 o'clock.
' Ever yours most faithfully,
' Wellington.'
' General Sir S. Whittingham, K.C.B.,
' No. 38; Conduit Street, Hanover Square.'
What took place on this occasion has never been re-
corded, at least as far as the Editor is aware. Indeed so
httle given to boasting was the subject of this Memoir,
that his own children would now know very little of his
merits, had these not been so liberally done justice to in
the writings (lately come to light) of others; and these
the great and distinguished amongst men.
Another interview took place the following month, as
testified in the following note : —
INTERVIEW WITH LORD GLENELG. 411
' Colonial Oppice, 10th August^ 1835.
' Lord Glenelg presents his compliments to Sir S. Whit-
tingham, and begs he will favour him with a call here on
Wednesday, at 12 o'clock.'
The General was still desirous of employment in the
colonies ; his pecuniary losses, chiefly from causes over
which he had no control, though partly owing to his too
great generosity and hospitality, prevented his deriving
any permanent advantage from his long service in India.
This interview with Lord Glenelg did not lead to any
immediate employment. Mr. Davis was no longer in Par-
liament, and the great Duke had long since retired from
the command of the army. The regiment which the
Duke had, in September 1830, assured Mr. Davis should
be quickly given to Sir Samford Whittingham, was still
withheld, from want of sufficient interest to press the
point. Not that his political opinions interfered with his
advancement. His friend, Lord William Bentinck, was of
the Liberal party, and his Lordship had convinced him —
so far as he meddled with politics — that moderate pro-
gress and reform was the wisest and safest course in
England. But in truth he belonged to no party, and
such men are apt to be neglected.
While waiting for employment in London, he carried
out his favourite plan of sending his eldest military son to
Berlin, his admiration of the Prussians and their system
being always very great ; and surely recent events have
strikingly manifested the prescience of his judgment in
this particular case.*
Towards the close of this year Sir Samford must have
received the following rather hurried note from the com-
piler of the 'Wellington Dispatches': —
* At this time, excepting an ofRcer attending on the Duke of Cumberland
(now Sir Charles Wyke late envoy at Hanover) there was not another British
officer in Berlin, so little was the merit of the Prussian system then ap-
preciated in Great Britain !
412 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM .
Lieutenant- Colonel Gurwood * to Sir Samford
Whittingham.
' PoBTSMOUTH, 4^A December, 1836.
' My dear General, — ^I am much obliged to you for
the paper enclosed in your letter of the 2nd, the perusal
of which was very instructive. I wish I could have had
it [in time] to insert [it] in its proper place, in the
4th volume, just published ; although not being of the
Duke, I should be subjected to criticism. But the memo-
randum elucidates points not elsewhere defined. Do you
wish me to return it ? If so I will, when your pleasure
on the subject is made known to me. Previous to my visit
to Paris in September I waited upon Mr. B. Frere to
request he would have the goodness to copy, or have
copies [made] of Lord Wellington's letters to him when
Charge d'AfFaires at Seville, after Marquis Wellesley's
departure. There are thirteen of them, of which I gave
him the heads taken from the Duke's Indexes, and they
are of December 1809. All the Duke's papers of that
month and of the following year were lost in the Tagus ;
and the only means I have of fiUing up the vacuum is by
applying to those to whom they were written. Mr. Frere
had the goodness to tell me that he would search for
them. As you are so near a neighbour to him in Savile
Eow, would you oblige me by presenting my compH-
ments to him, and ascertain [ing] whether he has yet had
the opportunity of visiting his papers for those in ques-
tion? I will also trouble you, as a Spaniard, to tell
me how Cazalegas or Casalegos, near the Alberche, is
written. In the names of places, I always adhere to
Lopez when I am in doubt. ]!^otwithstanding, I find
in the hurry and annoyance of correcting the press, the
following errors have escaped me, which is the more
* Colonel Gurwood was also one of the many officers who had reason to
complain of the injustice or inaccuracy of the great military historian. See
United 8ervice Magazine of February 1868.
COMPILER OF THE ' DISPATCHES ' CONSULTS SIR SAMFORD. 413
stupid in me, as I pledged myself to adhere (in the
preface) to the exact spelhng of the country : —
Naval Moral for Navalmoral.
Fuente Dueiias for Fuentiduena.
Zarga Mayor for Zarza la Mayor.
Puente de Arzob for Puente del.
Brigel for Brujel.
Casalejos for Cazalegas.
Albuquerque for Alburquerque.
Fuente del Mestre for Fuentes del Maestro.
All these I should have put right with more attention
to Lopez. Your letter staggered me about Albuquerque ;
but on referring to three of his own letters to the Duke of
Wellington, in 1810, 1 found it Albur, the correct spelling
of the town in which I was quartered in 1808.
' Very sincerely yours,
' J. GURWOOD.'
' Major-General, Sir S. Wbittingham, K.C.B.'
On the 24th August, 1835, Sir Samford received an
invitation from Lord Auckland, then First Lord of the
Admiralty, to dine at the Admiralty the following Wed-
nesday, to meet the Hon. William Osborne,* his Lord-
ship's nephew, and the friend of the General ; but tem-
porary indisposition prevented the meeting.
Lord Auckland to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Private.)
'Admikaltt, 27th August, 1835.
' My dear Sir, — I was sorry yesterday not to have had
the pleasure of your company to dinner, and trust that
the cause of your absence will not be of long continuance.
If you should be well to-morrow, perhaps you would
favour me with a visit between one and two o'clock.
* Mr. (now Lord) William Godolphin Osborne was about to re-enter the
army as Ensign 26tli Cameronians, to become Military Secretary to tlie
Governor-General of India.
414 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
Otherwise I would endeavour to find you at home on
Sunday.
' I am, most faithfully yours,
' Auckland/
The Editor was at this time on the Continent, and was
ignorant of the cause of these meetings. Probably Lord
Auckland was already appointed to the Governor-General-
ship of India, or contemplated its acceptance, and was
therefore glad to obtain information from so experienced
and able an Indian as Sir Samford Whittingham. No
copies of the letters of the latter to Lord Auckland are
now extant.
From the Same to the Same,
(Private.)
' Admtbalty, ^th September, 1835.
' My dear Sir, — I have to thank you for the letter
which I have received here this morning, and to express
my regret that I did not see you when we interchanged
visits on Sunday. But I will give my best attention to
the suggestions I have from time to time received here in
writing from you, both in regard to persons and to
measures ; though with the latter I am afraid that con-
siderable hesitation must be felt in any case where they
are liable to be attended with great expense.
' Most faithfully yours,
' Auckland.'
It was not till July 1836, that Sir Samford was offered
any employment. He then accepted the command of
the Forces in the Windward and Leeward Islands, which
was now separated from the civil government, and there-
fore so wretchedly paid, that the mere outfit required
would absorb more than the first year's salary. Otherwise
the appointment was a flattering one, as it was pointed
out that the regiments scattered over the extensive com-
LORD W. BENTINCK'S DINNER TO LORD AUCKLAND. 415
mand were many of them in a slack state of discipline,
and required an energetic and able commander to remedy
the evil. He was moreover to have the local rank of
Lieutenant-General, with a military secretary and two
aides-de-camp. In thanking Sir Herbert Taylor, who
appears to have been instrumental in obtaining the em-
ployment, Sir Samford pointed out to him that however
gratifying to him the manner of his appointment, it was
in a pecuniary point of view very unsatisfactory. More-
over, he took that opportunity of alluding to the long-
deferred promised Eegiment. But his patience on that
matter was still to be further tried, though five years had
elapsed since the memorable promise of the great Duke to
Mr. Hart Davis.
In 1836 Sir Samford and his son, who had returned
from Berlin, passed some days at Sheerness, as the guests
of the Hon. Admiral and Mrs. Fleeming, at the Admiral's
official residence. There they met for the first time, the
Admiral's nephew John, thirteenth Lord Elphinstone,
who had just been appointed Governor of Madras, and
whom the Admiral's eldest son was one day to succeed
for a very brief space as fourteenth lord. Lord Elphin-
stone was then a tall handsome aristocratic-looking
Captain of the Blues, and his selection for so high a post,
whilst still so young and inexperienced, created a con-
siderable sensation both in England, and in India.
Before embarking for Barbadoes, a dinner at which
Sir Samford and his son were present is worthy of
recollection.
It took place on a Friday in the season of 1836, at
the Clarendon Hotel,* when Lord William, the ex-
Governor-General of India, entertained Lord Auckland,
his successor, and about a dozen other gentlemen several
of whom had been, or were about to be. Governors.
* The private note of invitation has no date but ^ Clarendon Hotel,' and
asks Sir S. "Whittingham and his son for the following Friday.
416 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
Lord Elphinstone, and Mr. Mountstuart Elphinstone, and
Mr. Cole, brother to Lord Enniskillen, were amongst the
gubernatorial guests. Lord George Bentinck, tlien a
handsome young gentleman of sporting celebrity, was
also present ; but no one then imagined the important
position which he would one day hold in the political
world. It was a very interesting party, and the kind and
unaffected manners of the distinguished host extended
its genial influence over all the guests. It is probable
that Lord Burghersh (the late Earl of Westmoreland)
was present at this dinner, though the Editor does not
remember the fact. It is certain that Sir Samford Whit-
tingham met his Talavera friend at Lord William Ben-
tinck's table about this period.
Before leaving England, Sir Samford Whittingham was
presented to King WiUiam IV. by Lord Glenelg ; and he
has left in his own handwriting a memorandum of the
interview with His Majesty. It does not state the
locality, but it was probably at Windsor that it took
place. The King was personally unknown to him. In
comparison with George IV. it was ' a King that knew
not Joseph': —
' On the 5th October, 1836, I was presented to His
Majesty by Lord Glenelg, to kiss hands on my appoint-
ment to the command of His Majesty's forces in the
Leeward and Windward Islands.
' Upon kissing the royal hand, and returning thanks
for the honour of the appointment and the rank of
Lieutenant-General, the King was pleased to say,
' " Your rank of Lieutenant-General was a necessary
consequence of your appointment to the command of the
largest body of troops I have in my colonies, except the
East Indies. It is, next to the East, the most important
command I have to give."
'His Majesty here paused for a short time, and then
continued :
WILLIAM IV. 'S FLATTERING FINALE. 417
' " What events may take place, in the course of a few
years, in the West Indies it is impossible to say. But
I feel quite sure, that in any and every case, the com-
mand of my forces in the Leeward and Windward Islands
could not be in better hands than yours."
' The King then asked in what regiment I had com-
menced my services, I said, "in the 1st Life Guards,
and then in the 13th Light Dragoons, in which regiment
I was Captain when I sailed with Brigadier Craufurd,
as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, for South
America. After the failure of the attack on Buenos
Ayres I returned to England."
"■' I knew you had been in the 13th Light Dragoons,"
said the King, " though some one said not ; and after
your return from South America where did you go?"
' " To Spain, Sire, where I was present at the battle of
Baylen under General Castanos, and at the battle of
Talavera under Sir Arthur Wellesley. From that time
I served till the end of the war on the Eastern Coast ;
having under my command a corps d'armee of Spanish
troops, composed of ten regiments of infantry, twelve
of cavalry, and a considerable train of horse and foot
artillery. After the peace, I went to the West Indies as
Governor of Dominica."
' " I knew you had been in the West Indies," said His
Majesty, "but I did not know in what Island."
' " I remained in the West Indies two years, and then
went to the East as Quartermaster-General of the King's
troops. On my promotion to the rank of Major-General,
I was appointed to the military districts of Cawnpore
and Meerut. In the first, I had 24,000 men under my
command ; in the second, 26,000. After thirteen years'
service in India, I returned fifteen months since, to
England. Your Majesty has now been graciously pleased
to appoint me to the command of your army in the
Leeward and Windward Islands, and assuredly no eflbrt
E E
418 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
on my part shall be wanting to the faithful and effective
discharge of the duties of the high post with which your
Majesty has been pleased to honour me."
'"I am fully satisfied," said the' King, "I could not
have made a better choice ; and you carry with you
my best wishes for your health, happiness, and success."
' " I hope you are satisfied," said Lord Genelg, on our
returning from the presence.'
Of course in so brief an interview Sir Samford had not
time to give the King more than an outline of his services,
confined to what he could remember on the spur of
the moment. He left out indeed the most important of
them ; his having raised, organized, and led to victory,
the Majorca division.
At this period Sir Samford Whittingham lost one of
his best and most estimable friends, the late Sir William
Knighton, so long the friend and confidant of George IV.
The letter which he wrote to Sir Herbert Taylor, an-
nouncing the probably approaching end of that amiable
and distinguished man is not forthcoming, but the follow-
ing was the reply : —
Sir Herbert Taylor to Sir Samford Whittingham.
' WiNPSOR Castle, dth October, 1836.
'My dear Sir Samford, — I feel very grateful to you
for your kind attention in writing to me respecting our
poor friend Sir William Knighton, and I sincerely la-
ment that your account of his state is so unfavourable,
and holds out so little hope of recovery. I shall deeply
regret his loss as I love and respect him ; and I am
greatly indebted to him for many and unceasing acts
of kindness and friendship to myself and mine, and
of confidence under circumstances which proved his
sincerity.
' You have done me a real favour by expressing to this
WELLINGTON ON THE DEATH OF SIR W. KNIGHTON. 419
excellent man my feelings towards him, and my sympathy
in his present state of suffering ; especially as the close
attendance to which I am doomed here and elsewhere
deprives me of the facilities of calling personally in
Stratford Place to enquire after him. There is, however,
no day that I do not receive an account of him. I hope
that poor Lady Knighton is able to bear up. I heard
that it was not till very recently that she was made aware
of poor Sir William's critical state. It is satisfactory to
know that he received the sacrament yesterday, which
would so much contribute to the ease and comfort of
his mind.
' Believe me to be, ever, my dear Sir Samford, most
sincerely yours,
' H. Taylor.'
^ Major-General Sir Samford Whittingliam, K.C.B.'
'P.S. — I made the communication which you wished
me to make to the King, who received it kindly. His
Majesty also entered with kind interest into the situa-
tion of our suffering friend.'
Sir Samford Whittingham appears soon afterwards to
have transmitted to the Duke of Wellington the news
of Sir William Knighton's death, as proved by His Grace's
reply :—
The Duke of Wellington to Sir Samford Whittingham.
' Walmee Castle, 12th October, 1836.
' My dear General, — I sincerely lament with you the
loss of our friend Sir William Knighton.
' I beg you to take an opportunity of presenting my
best respects and condolence to his afflicted family.
' I shall have occasion hereafter to communicate with
his son upon the late King's affairs. I am not acquainted
£ £ 2
420 MEMOm OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
with him excepting from the report of his poor father ;
and I entertain a great respect for him.
' Believe me, ever yours most faithfully,
' Wellington.'
' Lieut.-General Sir Samford Wliittirgliam, K.C.B.' *
Sir Samford Whittinghatn to the Duke of Wellington.
' United Service Club, 14th October, 1836.
' My Lord Duke, — I took an opportunity this morning
of obeying your Grace's orders by presenting your best
respects and condolence to the afflicted family of the
late Sir William Knighton ; and, at the same time,
of informing his son, that you would, hereafter, have
occasion to communicate with him upon the late King's
affairs. He desired me to express to 'your Grace how
much he feels honoured by the flattering mention you
are pleased to make of him, and to say that at an early
period after the funeral of his poor father, he will be
ready to attend your pleasure.
'1 have the honour to be, your Grace's most obedient
humble servant,
' Samford Whittixgham.'
* His Grace the Duke of Wellington, K.G.,
' &c., &c., &c.'
The following letter alludes to one of the visits whicli
Sir Samford had paid to Sir Edward and Lady Harriet
Paget since his return to England, no other records of
which now exist. The worry and anxiety which the
Napier affair had given to Sir Edward Paget had evi-
dently not cooled his affection for his dear and valued
friend, any more than the poverty of his circumstances
which made employment, however badly paid, indispen-
sable to him : —
* The Duke in the original wrote ' G.C.B.' by mistnke, for Sir Samford
did not live long enough to have the A'.C.B. conveittd into G.C.B.
SIB EDWARD PAGET's FAREWELL. 421
' Royal Military College, 18/7* October, 1836.
' Many thanks to you, my dear Whittingham, for your
letter of the 15th ; which somehow or other has only
reached me this day. As you must go, I will only say
that I am glad that " everything is at last settled," and,
I ardently hope and pray — in a manner much more
suitable to your interests than you gave me any reason to
expect when I had the happiness of last seeing you at
Sandhurst. When I make use of this word " happiness,"
I pray you to consider it as exclusively applicable to the
sight (perhaps the last) and society of one, whose ardent
and unmerited friendship and attachment to me, I never
can be sufficiently grateful for. Au reste I must acknow-
ledge, that your departure for the West Indies, the inade-
quacy of the means afforded you to maintain the high
position in which you are placed there, the circumstances
which led you to accept of this command
have occasioned me a degree of sorrow^ and distress of
mind, which nothing alleviates but the contemplation of
the noble and buoyant spirit which enables you so
manfully to defy the shafts of adversity It is
most kind of you to think of writing to me from the
West Indies. ... I will ascertain and let you know
whether Polchet * has received your cigars. Poor old
fellow, he is nearly done. I ought to have written and
thanked you a fortnight ago for the beautiful specimen
you have sent us, through Grey,f of your military draw-
ing of Hampstead and its neighbourhood. I had no
idea till I saw it of your powers in this way. It will be
framed and hung up in the office in the good company of
some of old Jarry's best performances.
* A professor of tlie Senior Department, Sandhurst, who had also held
a similar situation at High Wycombe, when Sir Samford was there as
a pupil.
t Then a subaltern in the 83rd regiment (as was Sir Samford's son), now
the well-known Governor, Sir George Grey. He was at this period a
student at the senior department of the College.
422 MEMOIR OP SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
' God bless you, my dear good friend, and with kindest
regards from Lady Harriet, believe me ever
' Most faithfully and affectionately yours,
' Edward Paget.'
Another friend did not conceal his surprise at Sir Sam-
ford's acceptance of so wretchedly paid a post, as may be
seen by the following letter : —
Lord William Bentinch to Sir Samford Whittingharn.
* Welbecz, 22nd Octobe)-, 1836.
* My dear Sir S. Ford, — So you are again about, after
so many wanderings and gallant adventurings, to set out
upon a new course, which I sincerely trust may obtain
for you all the honour and gratification that you can pos-
sibly desire. For riches you have shown your contempt,
and there are few men who go to the East who possess
this noble self-denial. One may regret, though one
cannot but admire, this singular quality: and I hope, at
any rate, this additional claim, which this new service
gives to distinction, may ensure an early appointment to
a regiment. I am glad you were well pleased with His
Majesty's reception. There cannot be a better hearted
man than our gracious Sovereign ; and his decided, and
above all his equal patronage of the two professions entitle
him to the gratitude and respect of every soldier and
sailor
' I am sorry to say that Lady William is not so well
as she was, and we fear she will be obliged to go to
some warmer climate, and we think of Tours. It is not
far removed either from Paris or from England ; and
it must be equally dry with Paris if not warmer ; with
less temptations to exposure and fatigue. In the early
spring we may yet make a march upon Paris
' Yours ever sincerely,
' W. Bentinck.'
LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK'S PHILOSOPHY. 423
One more letter from Lord William, Sir Samford re-
ceived before sailing for Barbadoes : —
Lord William Bentinck to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Welbeck, Qth November, 1836.
' My dear Sir S. Ford, — Although in the midst of the
hurry of your departure, I must still be allowed to
occupy a moment of your time, with my acknowledg-
ments for your most kind and friendly letter. The
contents of it have given more pleasure to Lady William
than myself, who feels a great deal more for my repu-
tation than I do. I look for no praise and for no public
gratitude. The curse of India is that private interest not
only predominates over that of the public, but [that] it is
exclusively the reigning power. It is a foreign dominion
without any control from the voice of the governed.
And it is nominally controlled by those in Europe, with
whom private interest is as much so as in India, the
exclusively reigning power. I have just gone counter to
all these sordid and selfish interests, and in this genera-
tion, I must have the natural reward, odium, calumny,
and ill will. But these principles, like all others of
reform founded on reason, moderation and the general
good, which I have upheld, must have their triumph in
the end. And I am quite satisfied in the meantime with
the satisfaction of my own conscience, and the certainty
of these results upon the happiness of the Indian Empire.
Pardon so much egotism.
' Ever with great regard,
' W. Bentinck.'
Sir Samford Whittingham appears to- have had some
interviews with Lord Palmerston before leaving England,
and to have presented him with a copy of his Me-
moir on Eussia and British India. The following is a
424 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
copy of a letter he subsequently addressed to that popular
statesman, then Minister for Foreign Affairs : —
Sir Samford Whittingham to Viscount Palmerston.
^ United Service Club, Pall Mall, 1th Novemler, 1836.
' My Lord, — The accompanying map, which comprises
in one sheet the country between Constantinople and the
Burmese empire, was published a short time before I left
Calcutta. It should have accompanied the Memoir I had
the honour of presenting to your Lordship.
' In the sketch of the Eussian empire her immense
latter acquisitions are brought to notice by being coloured
with green.
'Will your Lordship permit me to beg your accept-
ance of both these maps, of little cost, but of much
convenience. I have the honour to be, my Lord,
' Your obedient humble servant,
'Samford Whittingham/
^ The Lord Viscount Palmerston.'
The following was his Lordship's reply : —
Viscount Palmersto7i to Sir Samford Whittingham.
' Stanhope Stkeet,* 8^^ November, 1836.
'My dear Sir, — I beg you to accept my best thanks
for the very interesting paper which you left with me
the other day, and which I have read with all the atten-
tion due to the importance of the subject of which it
treats, and to the ability with which it has been drawn
up. The local knowledge and the mihtary experience
which have been brought to bear upon the matters which
you have discussed, render the Memorandum pecuharly
valuable. I am also much obhged to you for your per-
* Stanliope Street is the address written on the back of the letter, in
Sir Samford's hand, but the writing in the note itself is illegible.
PORTSMOUTH HOSPITALITIES. 425
mission to keep the two maps which you sent me yes-
terday.
' My dear Sir, yours faithfully,
' Palmerston.'
^ Lieut-General Sir S. F. Whittingliam, &c., &c., &c.'
Before sailing for Barbadoes contrary winds detained
the General and his Staff for many days at an hotel in
Portsmouth, where, by his invitation, his son's friend
Thomas St. Aubyn of the 83rd f joined the party. The
Lieutenant-Governor Sir Thomas MacMahon, and (es-
pecially) the Port-Admiral Sir Philip Durham, lightened
the tediousness of delay by their hospitalities. At the
table of the former the travellers met the second son
of the Duke, the late Lord Charles Wellesley then
quartered with his regiment in the garrison. Captain
Considine of the 69th Eegiment (formerly of the 52nd
Eegiment) the Military Secretary to Sir Samford, who was
one of the best officers in the army, though amongst
the least fortunate in promotion, joined his Chief at Ports-
mouth, as did Lieutenant Henry B s, who then com-
menced his long and fortunate career on the Staff as
aide-de-camp.
After embarking in the ' Tulloch Castle^ towards the
close of November, baffling winds occasioned a return
of the party to Portsmouth, and it was not till the 22nd
December that the wind became fair enough to allow of
quitting the harbour.
* Brother of Lady Knollys.
426 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE XXII.
1837—1839.
SIR SAMFORD's second service in the west indies — SEEDS OF
DISSENSION SOWN IN VAIN AT BARBADOES — A PROFITLESS COMMAND —
CARES FOR THE HEALTH AND COMFORT OF SOLDIERS — MUTINY OF
THE BLACK TROOPS IN TRINIDAD— A ROMAN VIEW OF MILITARY DISCI-
PLINE— A FRATERNAL DIFFERENCE—' THE BEST INSPECTING GENERAL
WE HAVE ' — SIR CHARLES PAGET'S FLATTERING LETTER TO SIR SAMFORD
POPULARITY AT THE EXPENSE OF DISCIPLINE DESPISED — APPOINTED
COLONEL OF THE 71ST HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY — CONGRATULATIONS
OP SIR JOHN MACDONALD THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL — SIR CHARLES
PAGET'S ' HEART AND SOUL REMARK ' TO HIS BROTHER — AN INVALUABLE
INSPECTING GENERAL— SIR DE LACY EVANS — THE HOUGOMONT HERO — DR.
ARCHIBALD HAIR's CONGRATULATIONS — LORD GLENELG's LETTER — DOCTOR
COLERIDGE, BISHOP OF BARBADOES — SIR SAMFORD's JOY AT THE EMANCIPA-
TION OF THE NEGROES — INSPECTION VISIT TO DOMINICA— SIR SAMFORD's
CAPACITY FOR LABOUR — A FIERY INTERVIEW BETWEEN WELLINGTON AND
PICTON— YELLOW FEVER IN ITS LAST STAGE — SATISFACTION OF HOME
AUTHORITIES — DEATH OF ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES PAGET — HIS RELATIVES
ADVISE SIR SAMFORD TO RESIGN — MR. B. FRERE's LETTER TO SIR
SAMFORD — APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT MADRAS — PARTING
COMPLIMENTS FROM THE GOVERNOR AND ASSEMBLY— DEPARTURE.
It was in an exceptionally important command that Sir
Samford Whittingliam served for the second time in the
West Indies ; and although on this occasion his post
was nominally only a mihtary one, he was really also
much employed by Government in matters of a civil
nature. Moreover, according to the best authority, the
then large garrison of the Windward and Leeward
Islands was generally in rather slack order, and required
a firm and able hand to restore due disciphne and
military efficiency. In some of the stations the military
Commander was also ea; officio the civil ruler, and if
SEEDS OF DISSENSION SOWN IN VAIN. 427
found unlit in the latter capacity (in the eyes of the
Governor-General at Barbadoes, or of the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, at home), the only remedy was to
remove him from his mihtary command, which gave rise
to unpleasant complications in one instance, accompanied
by a most harassing and voluminous correspondence.
Again, the Governor-General at Barbadoes was a
general officer, acting solely in his civil capacity, and as
such superior in authority to his senior military officer,
the Commander of the Forces. In such a situation (to
which a truly wise and prudent Administration should
never expose any person), a high sense of duty, great
temper, and a certain modest abnegation of self, became
indispensably necessary, on the part of the military com-
mander, to the successful management of business. The
only rational course would have been, to have had one
instead of two generals, and to have united the civil
and military administration in his hands ; or, if that
was undesirable, to have appointed a civilian Governor,
to act with a military commander. But the exigencies
of patronage too often set at defiance all the dictates
of reason and experience ; and in this particular case,
the exceptional character of the Commander of the
troops saved the British Government from reaping that
discord which it had inadvertently done its best to
sow. Lieutenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham and
Major-General Sir Evan Murray Macgregor were excel-
lent friends both publicly and privately during the whole
period in which they acted together ; nor did the
former ever make the slightest difficulty in marching past
and saluting his junior officer on the Eoyal birthday
with all the respect due to the representative of his
Sovereign.
In preparing the West Indian negroes for emancipa-
tion, the Colonial Secretary of State and the Secretary-at-
War (as he was then styled) gave plenty of occupation to
428 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the military as well as to the civil commander. In 1837
the prospect was that in 1838 domestic apprenticeship
was 'to cease altogether, and in the year 1840 the
field labourers were to participate in the same advan-
tages, and the whole population to become free.'* But
eventually the Island Assembly decreed the total eman-
cipation on the 1st August, 1838.
Meantime, Sir Samford's private affairs were in a
bad way; and remembering the great Duke's speech to
Mr. Davis in 1830, few readers will wonder if some
despondency had at last possessed the mind of one of
the most sanguine of mortals : —
To his Brother-in-law.
' Barbadoes, \Wi April, 1837.
' As to the Eegiment, I really have lost all hope. And
were I not surrounded by those I so much love, and who
look to me for aid, assistance, and support, I should give
up the service altogether ; for a Commander of the Forces
on 2000/. per annum cuts, I am sorry to say, a de-
plorable figure. In a former letter to Hart I have
entered into minute details on financial matters, and have
pointed out the hardship of imposing poverty, in addition
to a bad climate, on the few remaining years of an
old soldier's life. And, having said my say, I shall
not again refer to the subject ; but, on the contrary,
repeat what I have so often said, that we are as happy a
quartet as ever yet met together; and whilst we all do
our duty to the very best of our power, we shall con-
tinue, under God's blessing, to sit at ease, and hope
for better times. For myself there is no merit in all this.
I am never so happy as when living amongst soldiers,
and doing everything in my power to mitigate the suffer-
ings and evils to which they are of necessity exposed.
They now get, five days in the week, fresh provisions ;
* Letter to Mr. Davis^ dated ^ Barbadoes, 23rd February, 1837.'
CARES FOR THE HEALTH AND COMFORT OF SOLDIERS. 429
and I am doing everything in my power to exempt
the European soldier from those distant night duties
which have proved so very detrimental to his health.
If the suggestions contained in the letters I have sent
to Hart * be attended to, I have no doubt of making the
troops of this command a model of good discipline, whilst
the mortality will be, under God's blessing^ reduced to
ono-half ! '
On the 21st May, he recapitulates to Mr. Davis the
advantages which he hopes to gain for soldiers and
their families in the West Indies. 'The men, women,
and children will have fresh provisions instead of salt;
distant night-duties will be done by black troops instead
of white ; the white troops will be removed from the
most unhealthy islands. The garrison of Barbadoes will
be the reserve of this army, and a real school of in-
struction. All this and more I hope to see realized
before I again embark for old England. Do not think
that I am building castles in 'the air. To the best of
my power and ability, I do my duty in that station of life
unto which it has pleased God to call me ; and my
ambition is " to live and die in the saddle," in conform-
ity to my duty to my country and to my children.' f
In another letter he teUs the same correspondent that,
even with the greatest economy, he could not hope in
five years to save enough in this command to repay
the cost of his outfit ! Assuredly he was not one of
the Sovereign's hard bargains.
His Military Secretary, Captain Considine, an excellent
and highly esteemed officer, was now obliged from illness
to return on sick leave to England, from whence he kept
up a copious and interesting correspondence with his
Chief in Barbadoes.
* He liad sent to his nephew a copy of the suggestions he had sent to the
official authorities.
t This wish was granted, but sooner than the asker intended.
430 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
This year was marked by a mutiny of the black troops
in Trinidad, very easily put down by a company of
the 89th Eegiment, but necessitating a court-martial,
which condemned three men to be shot and a few others
to be transported.
In a letter dated ' Unionville, 30th July,' he reverts to
the standing grievance in these words : ' Tlie mystery
of the Eegiment I cannot solve ! I suppose they think I
can live upon sweet words.'
His high sense of duty when the Military Secretaryship
vacated was exhibited in an almost old Eoman man-
ner. His son and aide-de-camp had for change of air
and scene volunteered to be a member of the General
Court-Martial at Trinidad, appointed to try the mutineers,
and was therefore absent when Captain Considine left on
sick leave. An aide-de-camp's duties are whatever the
General chooses to employ him upon. Having had from
long absence actually to make the acquaintance of his
son, on return to Europe, almost as a stranger, a mutual
shyness at first subsisted. Finding that he was not con-
sulted on business, and considered as devoted to pleasure,
the son resigned himself to his fate, and doubtless some-
what too willingly, youth being fond of pleasure. The
General, therefore, in the absence of him he deemed
an idler, appointed his other aide-de-camp, a most excel-
lent and exemplary officer, to the vacant Secretaryship, as
he was most fidly justified in doing. The only rebuke,
which the Editor believes Sir Samford ever gave to his
beloved brother-in-law, was for his interference in this
matter. Mr. Davis and his clever eldest son regarded
these matters as nearly everyone does ; that if an advan-
tage is available, a son should have the preference, if not
unfitted for the situation. And as they had brought
up their young relative, they thought that they might
express their opinions in his favour. And this Mr. Davis
evidently did, although the letter is lost.
A FRATERNAL DIFFERENCE. 431
The following was Sir Samford's reply : —
To his Brother-in-law.
'Barbadoes, 2lst October, 1837.
' I grieve that you should have entered into a question
purely mihtary, and the discussion upon which must be
conclusively left to the judgment of every general officer
commanding, for upon him the whole responsibility of
everything connected with his command must rest. No.
private considerations, however strong or closely con
nected, must even for a moment be put in competition
with his views of what his duty exacts. This has been
my creed through life, and as a public servant I have
never deviated from it.' [He then describes how he was
obliged at once to name some one present, and named
his senior aide-de-camp, who most generously desired
it should be only ' till further orders,' and continues] : ' It
was Considine's opinion that would not accept,
because he would subject himself to the extreme drudgery
of an office the most difficult and most laborious in
the army, and particularly as he had never from his first
arrival at Barbadoes taken the smallest interest in any
military concern whatever. However, I am happy to
say hj3 appears to have now made up his mind to dedicate
himself entirely to the execution of his manifold duties.'
[He then notifies his intention of appointing his son
Acting Military Secretary from the 1st of the next
month, and adds] : ' If chooses to give up his
whole time and exclusive attention to his military duties,
he will ever find me most anxious to promote his wel-
fare ; but as a general officer in command, I must act
according to my views of the good of the service.'
On the 1st December, 1837, he WTites, ' is work-
ing hard, and constant in his attendance at the office,'
and so the General and father was satisfied. Owing
432 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
to the number of islands and dependencies, and also
because so many of the commanding officers were also
Governors, the Military Secretaryship required not only a
good man of business, but one of sound judgment, and
the Chief was therefore justified in requiring other quali-
ties than relationship to himself as a recommendation
for the appointment.
Before this time Sir Samford must have received a
letter from Captain Considine, dated '26, Duke Street, St.
James's, 22nd October, 1837,' containing amongst other
things the account of a long conversation which he
had just had with Sir John Macdonald, the Adjutant-
General, ' who pronounced the highest eulogiums on
you^ for ability, tact, prudence ; and wound up by declar-
ing emphatically, " Whittingham is the best inspecting
General we have. His Reports^ all are excellent. We
are much pleased with him, and pray tell him so from
me.''
' He then got into good humour, praised your letters, so
good, so well put together^ called you " a clever fellow,"
and said a number of kind things, " it was a shame
you had not a Eegiment, one you must have very soon."
Warmly praised your judgment in settling so well " that
fool.,'' — as he termed him — Sir 's business, and
expressed the highest satisfaction, when I told him on
what friendly terms you and Sir Evan Macgregor were.
This, he said, would delight Lord Hill, please the Colonial
Office, and that you were just the prudent man to get on
with these Governors.'
In the same voluminous letter occurs this passage :
' You will be pleased to learn, for Sir John slipped it out,
that Cutlar Fergusson is actively employed, arranging
for the sanction of Parhament, a plan to pay Judge
Advocates well, and employ military men of talent ex-
clusively, having one at every large station. Sir John
SIR CHARLES PAGET'S FLATTERING LETTER 433
little knew it was yow plan. For it appears, from
his statement to me, that it is exactly what you recom-
mended.'
Another passage is worthy of extraction : ' You have
seen M. -General George Napier's appointment to the
Cape. I met him yesterday with his son, who was in
my company, 52nd [Eegiment], and accompanies his
father as A. D. C. George JSTapier is the quiet one of
the family, — very different from the author of the
" Peninsula." He asked me about you, and spoke hand-
somely of your character.^ He is a fine, generous, nice
fellow, minus the right arm, but spare and active. He
tells me that they gave him £600 to find his passage,
but added he, " they charge me £560 for my commission
fees as Governor." However, his income, £5000 a-year,
will fully compensate him.'
On the 25th October, Captain Considine mentions
his interview with Lord Fitzroy Somerset : ' His Lordship
then got on the Trinidad mutiny, and expressed him-
self gratified at your promptitude in the whole affair.'
Towards the close of 1837, being applied to from
Halifax (during the rebellion in Canada), Sir Samford
Whittingham took upon himself the responsibility of
sending there the 65th Eegmient, as a reinforcement.
This will be best and most briefly explained by the
following demi-official letter to him from the brother
of his dearest friend : —
Admiral the Hon. Sir Charles Paget to Sir Samford
Whittingham.
' Admikalty House, Bermuda, 2ith Jamuay, 1838.
'Dear Sir, — I beg leave to seize the first opportunity
to express to your Excellency my humble thanks for
* It is pleasant to the Editor to find that even thirty years ago one
Napier at least did j ustice to Sir Samford.
F F
434 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the admirable decision and promptitude which has been
manifested by your Excellency in embarking so imme-
diately the 65th Eegiment on board the " Cornwallis "
for Halifax, where they were most heartily welcomed
by Sir Colin Campbell, who was enabled by the arrival of
that efficient corps, to detach his only remaining regi-
ment, the 34th, to Lower Canada.
' Your Excellency will be further pleased to know that
you have thus anticipated the intentions of Her Majesty's
Government ; since I find orders have been sent from
England to forward the 65th from the West Indies to
the station where it has already arrived.
'By the last accounts I have received from Sir Colin
Campbell, there is every reason to hope that rebellion has
received such prompt and signal defeat as to make it
reasonable to believe that no further effort will be made
to disturb the peace and subordination of those provinces.
I have the honour to remain,
' Your Excellency's most faithful servant,
' Charles Paget.'
' His Excellency Lieut. -General
' Sir S. Whittingham, K.C.B.,
' &c., &c., &c:
Exceedingly popular with all good officers, Sir Samford
Whittingham was nevertheless a terror to the inefficient
and undeserving, in spite of the habitual extreme gentle-
ness of his manner of proceeding. He had sometimes
to displace officers from their governments or commands,
and sometimes to report them for unfitness for their duty.
He was averse to that system where there is one law
for the officer, and another for the non-commissioned
officer and soldier. He was not afraid (as many Generals
are) to do his duty, and the authorities in our easy-going
system sometimes considered him too severe to effete and
inefficient commanders. He scorned to gain popularity
at the expense of discipline and efficiency. Neither, how-
APPOINTED COLONEL OF THE 71st HIGHLANDERS. 435
ever, did he go to the other extremity, which has been
witnessed, that of courting the men by publicly telling
them that their insubordination was the fault of their
officers. It was this conscientious performance of his
duty and distribution of equal justice, that justified the
praise given to him by the Adjutant-General of the army,
speaking of course the sentiments also of Lord Hill. All
the voluminous documents concerning his command in
the West Indies would, if investigated, bear out this
judgment. Indeed his merits were never denied. It
may be truly said of him, that few men ever got more
praise, or less rewards.
The Eegiment came at last, late though it was. He
was appointed Colonel of that regiment, at the head
of one of the battalions of which (having two battalions in
the Peninsular war) his early friend the gallant Henry
Cadogan had fallen at Yittoria ; thus losing, in the service
of his country, the earldom that awaited him.
Captain Considine to Sir Sam ford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Cakgreen, Cornwall, 1st April, 1838.
' Nothing which has occurred for many years has
afforded me more pleasure, than seeing in the ' Gazette
of the 30th March, your appointment to the colonelcy of
the 71st [Highland] Light Infantry. I do most sincerely
felicitate you on the occasion, as Lord Hill could hardly
have selected a finer regiment to place you at the
head of The longed for event has been a tardy boon;
but you have every reason to be satisfied with the
71st ! Charles Grey,* its Lieutenant- Colonel, is an excel-
lent promising young chief of battalion, and he already
knows your predilection for light troops from my cor-
respondence with him, and will, I am persuaded, be glad
* A younger son of Earl Grey, the Premier of the Reform Bill, now
Major-General, and well-known member of the Royal Household : also the
Editor of " The Early Days of the Prince Consort,^'
F r 2
436 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
to see your name on the top of the hst of the 71st. They
embark on the 12Lh.'
From Sir John Macdonald, Adjutant-General.
^ Horse-Guards^ 2nd Ap-il, 1838.
'My dear Whittingham, — Pray accept my heartiest
congratulations upon your appointment to the Colonelcy
of the 71st, one of the finest regiments in the army ;
an appointment which cannot fail to be gratifying to
you in the extreme, and which has given me the sincerest
pleasure. I am happy to be able to assure you, that
all your measures, in your high and responsible situation,
have hitherto given Lord Hill the utmost satisfaction, and
I can say, as head of this department, that all your inter-
course with it is most creditable to you, and highly
beneficial to the interests of the public service.
'Your regiment is in splendid order, and all but on
the beach for Canada. Your Lieutenant-Colonel (Grey)*
is a clever capable young fellow, that has been bred
in the best schools (the 60th and 43rd) and thoroughly
understands his business. Always my dear Whittingham,
' Most faithfully yours,
' John Macdonald.'
The Hon. Sir Edicard Paget to Sir Sarnford
Whittingham.
' Royal Hospital, CHELSEA,t ^Ist March, 1838.
' My dear Whittingham, — I now, thank God, can write
and thank you for your letter of the 19th January,
with a light heart. Yesterday's Gazette announced your
appointment to the Colonelcy of the 71st Eegiment ; and
I verily believe I do not deceive myself in thinking
that the event will not be more joyous to you than it
is to me. You have too long waited for it: but it
* General Grey is now Colonel of the same regiment liimself.
t Sir Edward had left the Military College, and been appointed Governor
of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
AN INVALUABLE INSPECTING GENERAL. 437
has come at last, and may you long live to enjoy the
honour, and its emoluments. It is no trifling gratification
to me moreover to learn, that your services in the
West Indies are duly appreciated at the Horse-Guards.
I promise you that your zeal and ready acquiescence
in the appeal made to you by my brother Charles for aid
to Canada, are estimated by him as they deserved to be,
and drew from him the heart and soul remark, " Would
that I could always find a Whittingham in my hour
of need." We talked you well over before he left this
country, and I shall rejoice to hear that you have
met ; for I am greatly mistaken if you do not find
him a fellow quite to your taste.
' Most affectionately yours,
' Edward Paget.'
Captain Considine to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
' Army and Navy Club, St. James's Square,
' 11th April, 1838.
[After describing some conversations with the influen-
tial Dr. Hair] — 'I next saw Sir John Macdonald. He
was very kind indeed. He always has a very long chat
with me ; and in the present case said : " My friend
Sir Samford gives me great satisfaction. He is an in-
valuable Inspecting General. We have none like him
anywhere employed. Here are some of our distinguished
men, such as Sir J. Colborne, Sir Lionel Smith, and
the late poor Ponsonby! from whom we never could
get more extended information in the way of answers
to our queries in the Confidential Eeports, than yes ! no !
to the end of the chapter."
' I have seen Sir De Lacy Evans, and dined with
him.* He asked a good deal about you, and told the
story Sir Loftus Otway had before mentioned to me,
* Captain Considine had been Military Secretary to Sir De Lacy, in Spain.
438 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
relative to your having had the power to have made
[King] Ferdinand, on his return after the war, swear
to the Constitution, and I explained that it was a mistake
.... Many other points I dwelt on, which appeared
to set his mind right about you, and he in conclusion
expressed himself complimentarily about you.
'I met at the Horse- Guards Sir James Macdonnel (the
Hougomont hero), who is on the eve of starting for
Canada in the " Edinburgh " (74), to command the
Brigade of Guards. Sir James asked me many questions
about you and your inspections of the troops. He made
me describe your person, &c. He is himself a rigid
inspector and drill man.
' Whilst writing Hair has appeared at my side. He
reiterates his promise of writing to you by the packet :
but the little man is so occupied with the Duke of Eich-
mond and Lord Hill, that I know not how to depend on
his promise.'
' The little man,' the friend of Lord Hill, and of the
late popular Duke and Duchess of Eichmond, did keep
his promise of writing to Sir Samford Whittingham
better than Captain Considine expected : —
Doctor Archibald Hair to Sir Samford Whittingham.
(Extract.)
* Hyde Park Barracks, London, IQth April, 1838.
' Dear Sir Samford, — I know not how to tell you how
much pleasure I feel in being able, at last, to offer
you my most sincere congratulations on your appoint-
ment to a Eegiment. I am more pleased and delighted
than I can tell you, although I am well aware no General
in the service merits it more than you do. The Eegi-
ment itself must, I am sure, be very satisfactory to
you. There are few better in the service ; and it is,
I understand from various quarters, in first-rate order,
DR. hair's congratulations. 439
and is commanded by an old friend of Considine's and
mine, Charlie Grey, than whom there is not a better
officer in the service.
' Believe me, my dear Sir Samford, none of your
friends rejoice more than I do at your appointment to the
71st Highland Light Infantry.
' Canada and the Coronation are the chief topics of
conversation at present. There must be a brevet, I
should think, but as yet little or nothing is known on the
subject. With a thousand best wishes for your welfare in
every respect, believe me to be, with the greatest respect
and esteem, dear Sir Samford,
' Yours most faithfully and sincerely,
' Archibald Hair.'
The Minister for War and the Colonies also was
pleased to express his satisfaction on this occasion, to
Sir Samford's nephew, — in a manner implying that his
own recommendation of the appointment had not been
wanting : —
Lord Glenelg to Mr. Harford.
^ London, ^Oth March, 1838.
'My dear Harford, — I am delighted to tell you that
Whittingham is to have the 71st Eegiment.
' Yours ever truly,
' Glenelg.'
< J. S. Harford, Esq.'*
To resume the fraternal correspondence : —
' Barbadoes, 9th May, 1838. — It would be impossible to
express half my grateful feelings to Her Majesty for her
gracious favour in appointing me to the 71st Eegiment;
a regiment second to none in the whole army, and
for which there were so many pretenders. The strongest
feeling in my mind is the deepest humility, proceed-
* Author of the * Recollections of Wilberforce.'
440 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
ing from the magnitude of the mercies I am daily
experiencing, and the complete conviction of my own
unworthiness.
' It is most grateful to me to learn that the publication
of that paper on India has done me no harm with the
Directors.* It was not my fault ; but that in public
affairs is a poor excuse. India is the land of ambi-
tion ; but Madras is the spot my heart is set upon.
For there I have two sons, who would derive great
advantage from my presence ; at the same time that
the large force under my command would enable me
to render the State good service.'
' Unconville^ 22nd May. — I never recollect being so
absorbed in business as in the last few weeks. Nor
is it to be wondered at when we recollect that this is the
year '38, and that the complete emancipation on the first
of August next, though adopted here and in many other
colonies, is still rejected in others ; where, in consequence,
a bad feeling may arise, . and produce mischief But
the blessed work of emancipation will assuredly find
favour in the sight of our Lord ; and success will attend
those efforts which are constantly and firmly directed
to the extension of Christianity.
' We dine with the Bishop to-morrow ; and I shall
have a long talk with Mrs. Coleridge and his Lord-
ship on the subject of schools. I have received Sir
William Knighton's Life, but have not a moment to spare
as yet.'
' Barhadoes, 2Qth June. — I should not like to quit this
command before the spring of '42, when I trust all Lord
Glenelg's just and honourable plans will be consolidated,
and placed on such a footing, as to give his Lordship no
further trouble. The emancipation of the blacks on
* The Editor cannot explain this affair. The publication, whatever it
was, took place evidently without the authority of its author, as might
readily be believed.
SIR samford's joy at the emaxcipation. 441
the 1st of August next will be carried into effect, I have
no doubt, throughout this command ; and Jamaica has
already set the brilliant example ! How would Mr.
Wilberforce rejoice, how would he bless the name of that
Colonial Minister, under whose able guidance the great,
the blessed work of freedom to the poor negro has
been effected, could he witness the realization of the
hopes he had from the commencement of his career so
fondly cherished. I cannot tell you how my soul rejoices
to see the noble w^ork so nearly completed. You, who
know me better than I know myself, will enter into
all my feelings of joy, at having been permitted to be an
humble instrument in the completion of the great and
good work ! '
On the 21st of June he writes to Lady William
Bentinck that he had at last succeeded in procuring
for her a small collection of humming birds, and expected
a larger supply from Jamaica.
It has been shown that when he considered his son
as idle and fond of pleasure, he had delayed appoint-
ing him to act as Military Secretary in the absence of
Captain Considine. Perhaps that trial was useful ; or,
possibly, in spite of his old Eoman theories, his paternal
feelings got the better of the General. At all events
he at this time writes of the new acting secretary, ' is
become one of the best and steadiest men of business
I am acquainted with. He never neglects, delays, or
misunderstands any business I put into his hands. But
his health has suffered from excess of occupation in
this trying climate, and he will return to England for six
or eight months, as soon as Considine and B s arrive.
I shall go to Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, &c., previous
to their arrival ; then return to Barbadoes, take them up,
and proceed to Berbice.'
Of the official visits of Sir Samford Whittingliam to the
442 ^klEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
various islands in liis command, it will liere only be
observed that about the end of February 1838 he had
paid his first inspection visit to Dominica, where he
was well received, and found that the memory of his
former popularity as Governor there was, after the lapse
of sixteen years, still green and fresh on the island.
On the 26th October, 1838, he announces to Mr. Davis
that his acting Military Secretary is going on sick leave,
his MiHtary Secretary and other Aide-de-Camp being
about to return from their leaves ; the Commander of the
Forces himself alone obtaining no change or relaxation,
though also needing it greatly.
In this letter he observes of the Military Secretary-
ship : —
' This command is so extended and the duties so com-
plicated ; cases are so continually occurring which require
a clear judgment, the quantity of business is so very
great, the correspondence so enormous, that I don't think
a better school could be found in the whole British
army ; and has now conducted this important
department for twelve months ! '
At this time the civil as well as military correspon-
dence w^as very great ; the Colonial Office, and that of
the Seer etary-at- War, having called upon the General for
a variety of reports relating to the negroes, and to their
future emancipation and conduct, such as are not usually
addressed to a military commander. The collection of
this information from many islands was an arduous task.
Moreover, Sir Samford was not the man to do a thing in
a perfunctory manner, just enough to escape censure ;
but whatever he undertook was thoroughly done, making
work enough for himself and his Staff. He however
invariably took the lion's share, even of the details, his
capacity for mental labour having ever been perfectly
astonishing.
FIERY INTERVIEW BETWEEN WELLINGTON AND PICTON. 443
That portion of his general Staff", which he appointed
himself, in the lower grades of the Adjutant -General's
and Quartermaster-General's department, were invariably-
able and zealous officers, whatever might be the case with
those appointed from home. Captain Martin — of a family
of almost hereditary admirals. Captain Trollope, now
Major-General, and Captain King, now Colonel, were most
useful, excellent, and laborious assistants, as was Lieu-
tenant, now Major-General, O'Halloran.
The head of the Adjutant-General's department was an
amiable and willing man, and that of the Quartermaster-
General's department, if not great at pen and ink, was a
Peninsular hero, and a very popular Amphitryon, from
whom the General acquired a first-rate receipt for turtle
soup, and whose dinners rivalled those of his Chief He
had been the principal aide-de-camp of Sir Thomas Pic-
ton in the war, and the manager of his household. He
had a fund of amusing anecdotes, which he was fond of
relating at the social board. There was one of a fiery
and hasty interview between Wellington and Picton, as
they stood on a high hillock apart from their Staff*, who
coukl hear their loud voices without distinguishing the
w^ords ; though they were evidently angry. And the
narrator greatly amused his listeners by imitating the gra-
dually increasing loudness of the speakers, up to the part-
ing climax and hurried separation.
He also told how on one occasion he had gone on
ahead, and had ordered a dinner to be prepared for his
General and Staff* at the house of a Spaniard. When they
had all sat down a few minutes. Sir Thomas became quite
indignant to find that he was taken little notice of; and
that all the attentions of the master of the house and of
his servants were bestowed on the aide-de-camp ; whom
it turned out, from his handsome and portly appearance
and cocked hat, had been mistaken for the General.
In the early part of October 1838, the General's
444 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGHAM.
English valet named Prior, died of yellow fever. After a
few hours' illness, the acting Military Secretary was called
up at two in the morning to see him nearly expiring in
the convulsions of the black vomit, and he died in the
course of the day. The Secretary then took fever, though
not of the same fatal kind ; but his life was saved by
taking the prescription of a coloured woman — a kind of
herb tea — which acted, when the medicines of the regu-
lar practitioners had wholly failed.
Sir Sam ford Whittingham to his Niece, Miss Davis.
(Extract.)
^Baebadoes, 15th Octohei', 1838.
' What a week of suffering and of sorrow this has been.
In the midst of poor Prior's fatal illness, was seized
with fever, and for two days he remained in a very pre-
carious state. He is, however, thanks be to the God of
mercy, at present out of danger, and I trust will soon be
convalescent. But it is the opinion of all the medical
advisers that European air is quite requisite. He will
therefore sail from hence for Falmouth, on JSTov. 11th, at
latest.
' No sooner had fallen ill than Captain King,* my
right-hand man in the Adjutant-General's department,
was also seized with a most serious attack of fever.
' In the midst of all these grievous afflictions I am
truly thankful to God that my own health is quite re-
stored, and that I feel equal to all the duties which must
now devolve on me.'
' \%th October. is now considered out of danger,
and King is doing very well ; and the uncle is still per-
mitted to flourish like an old oak, and to resist the trials
under which so many have fallen. 's infinite applica-
* Now Colonel King, son of General The Hon. Sir Henry King-, and
nephew to the Earl of Kingston and to Viscount Lorton. An excellent
officer ; one of the many whose fortune has been below their merits.
RETURN OF CAPTAIN CONSIDINE. 445
tion and incessant labours have in great measure brought
on his illness — a clearer or a sounder judgment upon
every difficult question submitted to him (and in this
extended command they are innumerable) I never saw.
As a real man of business is invaluable.'
From the Same to the Same,
(Extract.)
^Bakbadoes, Uh November, 1838.
' Yesterday evening, at six o'clock, embarked for
Enoiand. King came back to me at eight o'clock, havino
seen him on board, and reported all well. For the first
time since the commencement of my military career I
find myself an insulated and lonely being ! But a due
humility leads me to the conviction that I have infinite
cause for gratitude to the Almighty, and that to repine
at any part of a lot so favoured as mine is a crime.
' I feel that our communion in this world can be but of
short duration ; for my life must be dedicated to the per-
formance of those duties which it is not permitted to
neglect. But I am comforted by the blessed hope that
we shall meet hereafter.'
The return of Captain Considine, his able and excel-
lent Military Secretary, and of his beloved aide-de-camp,
B — , from their sick leaves, soon afterwards, cheered
the exile ; and the arrival of the famous 52nd Eegiment
at Barbadoes, to join his command, afforded him much
pleasure. At the same time he was cheered by a letter
dated ' Simla, 17th September,' from his friend Captain
(now Lord William) Godolphin Osborne, giving him, as
secretary to his uncle, Lord Auckland, the account of Sir
John Keane's capture of Ghuznee.
In 1837 Sir Samford had given a gold medal prize to
every regiment in his command for the best shot, on
condition that the officers would provide silver ones for
446 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the best company shots. This was long before Govern-
ment had instituted any rewards for good shooting.
On the 17th January, 1839, he writes to Mr. Davis :
' All the great people at home express their satisfaction
at my mode and manner of carrying on the business of
this command. Some years back so much praise from
such various and high quarters would have made me love
my stirrups, and have puffed me up with vanity. In
the present day, thanks be to God, my good fortune
only impresses me with a more lively sense of my own
unworthiness, and a more humble feeling of gratitude to
the Almighty for all the blessings he has conferred on
me ! The fever has at length left us, and the garrison is
now perfectly healthy : but the ravages of the earth-
quake in many of the islands, and particularly in Guada-
lupe have been terrible.
' Everything here proceeds smoothly and quietly. My
black soldiers are behaving exceedingly well. They mount
guard with the white troops, and the oldest non-commis-
sioned officer commands, be his face white or black.
My own guard alone is exclusively black.* This flatters
them, and pleases me ; for 1 have always held that to
make men trustworthy, you must begin by trusting them.'
In a letter to Sir Edward Paget, dated 28th February,
1839, Sir Samford thus alludes to the death by fever at
Bermuda of Admiral Sir Charles Paget. ' Ere you re-
receive this letter you will have heard of the sad loss we
have sustained in the death of your excellent brother. In
a public as well as a private point of view, deeply and
justly is the loss deplored. For the British navy pos-
sessed not a brighter ornament, nor could our country
boast a more perfect model of the real Enghsh gentleman.'
' Barbadoes^ 2nd July^ 1839. — Many thanks for your
* To appreciate this confidence, the reader must remember the previous
mutiny of the black troops at Trinidad, and the executions which had
followed.
SATISFACTION OF HOME AUTHORITIES. 447
conversation with Lord Hill. I am not surprised at his
Lordship finding it difficult to supply my place in this
command. The duties of it are laborious and difficult
from its extent. But Lord Hill has been so uniformly
friendly to me, that there is no personal sacrifice I would
not make to meet his wishes ; and nothing but the duty
I owe to my children could induce me to oppose them.
Li the meanwhile my trust is in God ; fully satisfied
that his wisdom and goodness and mercy will ordain all
for the best.'
From the reduction of the troops in the West Indies,
and other causes, the military command of which Barba-
does is the head-quarters, has of late years much lessened
in importance, and is indeed the command only of a
Major-General. But at the period referred to it was
considered in a very different light, though always greatly
disliked, and not without good reason. There is little
doubt that this second service in the West Indies short-
ened a life, which, from original excellence of constitu-
tion, had promised to be long. His letter last quoted to
his brother-in-law concludes with these words ; ' There
is one ambition, however, which still clings to my heart,
and gains more and more over me. I would wish to
spend six months at least in the much loved circle, on
my transit from the West to East. It will probably be
our last meeting on this side the grave ; and I should
fervently hope it may be as prolonged as I know it will
be warm and affectionate. God love you, my dearest,
best, and oldest friend. Ever your attached brother,
Samford Whittingham.'
His relatives in England, most anxious about his liealth,
pressed him to resign his present profitless and unhealthy
command. They feared, moreover, that whilst he re-
mained there nothing better would be offered him ; as
the authorities at home were desirous of keeping him in
a post where he was so useful, and which most officers of
his standing and merit would refuse to accept.
448 - MEMOIR OF Sill S. F. WHIfTlXGllAM.
' Barbadoes, Srd August. — I enclose duplicate copy of
a letter I have written to Lord Fitzroy on the subject
of my return to England, in conformity with your
opinion, and that of Hart and .'
It must be here observed that the fears of his friends
in England had arisen from the nature of Lord Hill's first
reply through Lord Fitzroy Somerset to Sir Sam ford's
application for employment in the East Indies, namely : —
' I am directed to state that a memorandum will be made
of your wishes, although his Lordship would regret ex-
tremely that any circumstance should arise to withdraw
you from your present command, the duties of which
you discharge to his perfect satisfaction.'
The following letter which he received about this time
from his diplomatic connexion in London, was not calcu-
lated to lessen his repugnance to remaining longer in the
country denounced nearly twenty years previously as a
'pays sans souvenirs et sans esperances ;' —
Mr. Bartle Frere to Sir Sam ford Whittimjhani.
' Savile Roav, 1st Juhjj 1839.
' My dear Whittingham, — I have to thank you for your
letter of the 19th April, and its very interesting enclosures,
since the receipt of Avhich Vaughan [Davis] has been kind
enough to send me a copy of your Memoir of May 1836,
which you had requested him to do.
' On reading this paper over again at this time, one
cannot but be struck with the prophetic spirit with which
it was written. I only wish that you were entrusted with
the execution of the measures which you recommend for
averting the danger that you so distinctly foresaw and
predicted. The Shah's providential failure in the last
campaign before Herat has given us a breathing time,
upon which we had no right to calculate. Had he suc-
ceeded, Eussia would probably not have scrupled to throw
MR. B. FRERES LETTER TO SIR SAMFORD. 449
off the mask, which under present circumstances she does
not appear to be prepared to do ; and our troops seem
advancing without opposition to occupy the important
points of the hne of operations. But after all, it is to me
an appalling consideration, how, with the very limited
means which we have at our disposal, we are to be pre-
pared to meet all the exigencies of such a gigantic scale
of proceedings.
' and I have at length paid our visit to Alava,*
who received him very cordially. I think he is looking
much better for his visit to Paris, of which, no doubt, he
will have given you a full history. I was sorry to hear
the melancholy account he gave of Turenne.f I had
looked to him as a person who would prove his most use-
ful acquaintance
'You will have seen by the " Gazette," that Eichard
[Frere] has got his Lieutenancy in the 13th. His friends
heard of him lately from an officer of his regiment who
is returned to England, and who spoke very favourably
of him.
' I see there is a Mediterranean mail come in, so I
shall leave this open till I take it to Downing Street, for
the sake of learning whether it brings me any letter from
Don Patricio.
' Ever, my dear Whittingham,
' Yours most affectionately,
' B. Frere.'
The gallant and truly excellent young Eichard Frere
was destined to an early death, as one of the victims to
the hardships of the retreat from Cabool. Don Patricio,
that is Colonel Campbell, was now Consul at Cairo : and
* General Don Miguel Alava, then Spanish Ambassador in London.
f According to the testimony of his son (the Marquis de Turenne), the
health of Count Turenne, the old (and wine-catering) friend of Sir Samford,
had so broken down by this time as to cause him to live in strict re-
tirement.
G G
450 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
on the 14th January, 1839, he addressed a long letter to
his old Chief, detailing the overland route to India, which
Sir Samford — always anticipating an Indian command —
at first was inclined to proceed by, though eventually he
went by sea. The first sentence, therefore, of the gallant
Consul's letter alone is given ; and, alas, his affectionate
good wishes were not destined to be realized : —
' Another year has commenced for us ; and it appears
almost a dream to think that thirty years have revolved
since our first campaigns in Spain ; and on the remem-
brance of which and of yourself, and of my most happy
days, I always dwell with so much pleasure. May every
happiness attend you, and may you see many new years.'
At length, in September, 1839, Sir Samford Whitting-
ham was unanimously appointed by the Court of Directors
to be Commander-in-Chief of the Madras army ; but he
was directed to remain in Barbadoes till the arrival of
his successor. Now at length he had obtained a high
and lucrative command in the British service. His own
salary was to be £8,600 a year, with an outfit of £2,000.
The Staff-pay of his Mihtary Secretary was more than
£1,000 a-year, and if exchanged to a regiment in India,
he might draw Indian regimental pay in addition ; so that
father and son would together draw about £10,000 a-
year. Two aides-de-camp were also allowed. Everything
looked bright and hopeful. Health and strength only
were required for the veteran to finish his career in com-
fort at least, if not with augmented fame and honours.
The only question was, had these rewards come too late ?
Had that second exile to the West Indies shattered a con-
stitution that promised a longevity equal to that which
has been obtained by so many veteran soldiers ?
He had still to tarry, awaiting his successor for nearly
three months in that detestable climate. Meantime all
his spare minutes were devoted to correspondence regard-
COMPLIMENTS FEOM GOVERNOR AND ASSEMBLY. 451
ing his future command, and to writing memorandums
on Indian politics ; civil and military subjects, which pro-
bably few men living had more deeply studied. To men-
tion only one of many subjects he was anxious to discuss
with Mr. James Cosmo Melvill, of the India House :
'Firstly. The last Burmese War cost upwards of ten
millions sterling, principally caused by imperfect arrange-
ments as to means of transport, and to the consequent
duration of the war.
' Secondly, A struggle thus protracted with an enemy
so inferior to us is always injurious to that opinion of our
irresistible superiority which forms the basis of our power
in India.
' Thirdly, Under existing circumstances, it is of vital
importance that a war with Ava should be finished in one
campaign.'
He then enumerates the faults of the former campaign
in detail, such as beginning the campaign in the rainy
season ; not brigading the Native and English troops in
proper proportions together ; not securing by armed
steamers the command of the Irawaddy ; and neglect-
ing to protect the ordnance and commissariat stores.
Want of space forbids any further extracts on this
subject. Suffice it to say that his whole energies were
now turned towards effectually serving his country in its
greatest and most important foreign possession.
Extract from the Speech of the Governor-General of the
Windward Islands^ Sir Evan Murray Macgregor,
Baronet^ at the meeting of the Legislature in Barbadoes,
on Monday^ the 2bth October, 1839.
' In former instances you have participated in my
acknowledgments of the obligations due by the Colony
for the solicitude which the Lieutenant-General has ever
evinced in its prosperity. I cordially embrace the last
public opportunity of recording my high appreciation of
G G 2
452 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
his Excellency's firm, judicious, and most friendly co-
operation pending an eventful crisis in these Islands. And
I feel assured that you will cheerfully unite with me in
congratulating Sir Samford Whittingham on the mark of
Eoyal favour graciously manifested towards his Excel-
lency, in the Lieutenant-General's approaching transfer to
an important command in the Asiatic dominions of the
Crown.'
The House of Assembly presented the General an
address, signed by their Speaker, Mr. E. Bowcher Clarke,
in which they state that they ' cannot suffer your Excel-
lency to leave the shores of Barbadoes without giving
expression to the deep sense they entertain of your ser-
vices to this Colony, during a period unparalleled in its
history for difficulty and importance, and their gratitude
for the lively interest which your Excellency has, on all
occasions, evinced in the welfare and prosperity of the
Island. And while they cannot but regret your Excel-
lency's approaching departure, they beg leave to tender
their cordial congratulations on the fresh proofs you have
received of the favour and approbation of your Sovereign,
and their best wishes for your health and happiness.'
Sir Samford made a suitable and grateful reply, which
it is unnecessary to produce.
To his Brother-in-law.
'Barbadoes, IQth December, 1839.
' I love to hope that General Maister must speedily
arrive. I shall not want forty-eight hours after making
over the command to him. How I do long to come again
amongst you ! Could I have returned in the steamer
which will bplig out the General, what a blessing ! But
I fear that cannot be, as the " Firefiy " is destined to this
station.'
He did not, however, sail from Barbadoes till after
DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND. 453
Christmas had passed, and the new year had fairly began,
and it was not till the 7th February, 1840, that he re-
landed in Old England for the last time of his life.
During the last year of his stay in Barbadoes, to his own
satisfaction and especially to that of his returned Mihtary
Secretary, Captain Considine, the gallant 52nd, one of the
crack regiments of the army, served under his immediate
command at St. Anne's Barracks, and there fully main-
tained, (in spite of much suffering from yellow fever),"^
its excellent and long-established reputation.
He left the Island with Captain Considine and Lieu-
tenant Bates, amidst universal regret and respect, having
greatly ameliorated the discipline and the comforts both
of the white and black troops, and having obtained the
warm thanks and sympathies of the local authorities, and
the ungrudging approval of the home authorities at the
Horse-Guards, Colonial Office, and War Office, as ex-
pressed by Lord Hill, Lord Glenelg, and Lord Howick,
now Earl Grey.
* Losing several officers and many men,
454 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
CHAPTEE XXin.
1840—1841.
EETIJENS TO ENGLAND FOR THE LAST TIME — LAST RECORDED MEETING
OF TWO OLD FRIENDS — MOORE AND DICKENS — DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S
KIND NOTE — LETTER TO SIR JOHN HOBHOUSE ON CORPORAL PUNISH-
MENT — WRITES HIS ' RECOLLECTIONS ' AT SEA — ARRIVES AT MADRAS
DURING LORD ELPHINSTONE's ABSENCE — LORD ELPHINSTONE'S NATURAL
BUT NEEDLESS FEARS — REINFORCEMENT TO CHINA — LETTER FROM LORD
BURGHERSH — LETTER TO THE HON. W. G. OSBORNE — SIR CHARLES
FELIX smith's eulogistic LETTER — A TRUE PROPHET ON INDIAN
AFFAIRS — SIR SAMFORD RECOMMENDS RAPIDITY OF MILITARY MOVE-
MENTS— A BE-JEWELLED RAJAH — AN UNWORTHY ENGLISHMAN — EVIL
EFFECTS OF THE WEST INDIES— SIR HARRY SMITH'S SPONTANEOUS LET-
TER TO SIR SAMFORD — EVIL RESULTS OF PATERNAL OBSTINACY — LETTER
FROM THE BISHOP OF MADRAS — SIR SAMFORD's LOYALTY TO THE
GOVERNMENT — CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE ' WELLINGTON DISPATCHES '
— SIR SAMFORD's letter TO COLONEL GURWOOD — SIR SAMFORD'S LAST
LETTERS — HIS SUDDEN DEATH — LORD FITZROY SOMERSET'S LETTER TO
THE EDITOR — THE FUNERAL,
Sir Samford Whittingham relanded in England on the
7th February, 1840, and immediately reported his ar-
rival from Devonport to the authorities at the Horse-
Guards. On the following day he, from the same
place, forwarded a copy of his ' Memoir on the means
of attack by Eussia on British India,' to Sir John Cam
Hobhouse then President of the Board of Control;
acquainting him that it had formerly merited the ap-
proval of Lord Wilham Bentinck, and had been subse-
quently presented to Lord Palmerston and to Mr. Melvill
in 1836.*
* Vide Apjiendix F for a list of sucli of the manuscript memoirs and
otlier papers and essays on various subjects as have reached the Editor's
hands.
MEETING OF TWO OLD FRIENDS. 455
At the close of this letter he states : ' I arrived here
from Barbadoes in H.M.'s Frigate " Liconstant'' yester-
day, and the probably short time of my stay in England
will, I trust, plead my excuse for this early intrusion on
your time and attention. On my arrival in London, I
shall be most happy to afford any further information
you may judge fit. My address will be " Fen ton House,
Hampstead Heath." '
He had not landed long, when there commenced that
rush of applications for appointments to which all high
Indian officials were especially subject, before the necessity
of passing any examination for Staff employments had put
limits to the general desire to obtain them.
How Sir Samford enjoyed his few months in England
in the society of his beloved relatives and friends may
be readily imagined. It was at the end of February or
the beginning of March that the Editor accompanied him
to a dinner at the house of his best friend — the excellent
Sir Edward Paget, at this time Governor of Chelsea Hos-
pital. Their manners to each other were those of affec-
tionate brothers. Most of the evening the two friends
occupied Sir Edward's social double arm-chair shaped
like the letter S, where vis-a-vis they could carry on their
conversation privately, undisturbed by the rest of the
company.
There were romantic circumstances attending that din-
ner calculated to stamp it on the unwritten tablets of the
memory, from which it is taken. The lordly heir of a
great and illustrious inheritance, separated from his wife,
owing to his own vagaries, was invited to Chelsea there to
meet his fair young daughter, whom he could only see on
such occasions. She was a charming person, and married
a few years later, for love, a younger son and her own
excellent and handsome first cousin. A few days after
this dinner, the Editor heard one gentleman mention to
another the death of a certain Duke, by which the mem-
456 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WIIITTINGIIAM.
ber of the House of Commons at the dinner party was
transferred to the House of Lords. This fact, aided by
the ' Peerage,' has enabled the writer to fix within a few
days, the last time at which he saw together the two old
friends firmly bound together by the ties of mutual
esteem and affection.
Of another interesting dinner, the date has been taken
from the Eegister of the lady who was its fair and ac-
complished hostess. On Tuesday, the 25th of March,
1840, in Hanover Terrace, Eegent's Park, Sir Samford
Whittingham, with his newly appointed Military Secre-
tary, and his first aide-de-camp (brother of the hostess),
had the pleasure of meeting at the hospitable table of
Mr. Thomas Longman, whose parents were also present
on the occasion, both Moore and Dickens. The former
made himself very agreeable. He had a son in India,
unfortunately in the Bombay instead of the Madras Pre-
sidency ; but he hoped that Sir Samford might in some
way or other be of service to him. Dickens, at that
time a handsome picturesque-looking young man with
flowing hair, was very silent on that occasion as compared
with the poet, but no doubt, he thought a great deal.
The most lively talker at that dinner was Mr. Hayward.
In those days it was a great pleasure to hear Moore sing
his own songs, as he probably did on that occasion also.
Sir Samford found time one day to go to Greenwich
to dine with his old friend, Admiral the Hon. Elphin-
stone Fleeming, whose son long afterwards for a brief
period, enjoyed the ancient family title.
The Duke of Wellington held no office of any kind
at this time, and Sir Samford Whittingham had conse-
quently no claim to see him. The Duke was considered,
even when Commander-in-Chief, very inaccessible to old
Peninsular officers unconnected with the aristocracy, and,
indeed, inaccessible generally.* Sir Samford Whitting-
* Some years later a noble and distinguished General, who insisted on
seeing his Grace at the Horse-Guards one day, in spite of advice from the
DUKE OF Wellington's kind note. 457
ham, owing to almost perpetual exile, had become nearly
a stranger to his Grace personally, but as in his last brief
stay in England, so now he sought the honour of a per-
sonal interview with him whom he ever deemed the most
illustrious of Englishmen : —
Sir Samford Whiitingham to the Duke of Wellington.
^ United Service Club, lih March, 1840.
' My Lord Duke, — My departure for Madras to assume
the command of the troops of that presidency, being
fixed for the 15th of April, I beg leave to submit how
highly I should appreciate the honour of being permitted
to wait upon your Grace previous to my again quitting
England. I leave town for Chatham on Monday next,
but shall return on Thursday the 12th instant.
' I have the honour to be, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham,
' Lieutenant-General.'
*His Grace The Duke of Wellington, K.G.,
(fee, &c.'
The Duke of Wellington to Sir Samford Whittingham.
[Apsley House] ' London, 8th March, 1840.
' My dear Sir, — I shall be at all times very happy to
receive you. Friday is a Parliamentary day, on which I
am generally engaged all day. But if you will come here
on Saturday the 14th, at twelve at noon, I shall be very
happy to receive you.
' Ever yours most faithfully,
'Wellington.'*
^Lieut.-Gen. Sir S. WhittingLam, K.C.B.'
Secretary to abstain, had the surprise of hearing through a door not closed,
these energetic words : * What does the d old fool want ? '
* No record remains of what passed at either of the interviews with
the Duke of Wellington in 1835 or 1840. Their occurrence became
known to the Editor only by finding his Grace's notes, when Sir Samford's
papers reached his hands last year.
458 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
The visit to Chatham was to Colonel, afterwards
General Sir Charles Pasley, of the Eoyal Engineers, to
which he was accompanied by his son. The visit lasted
two or three days, and was passed in investigations and
experiments of a scientific military nature, as well as in
friendly intercourse.
The Commander-in-Chief, Lord Hill, gave Sir Samford
a dinner, at which, amongst other guests, he met the Earl
of Cardigan, and all the heads of the Staff of the army.
At the usual dinner given by the Chairman and Court
of Directors in Leadenhall Street, Sir John Cam Hob-
house, in his wonted grand style, proposed, as President
of the Board of Control, the health of Sir Samford Whit-
tingham, to which he responded in his usual easy and
unembarrassed manner. His Staff were invited with
him ; but he alone, of all the guests present, had to
appear in uniform. Lord Seymour, now Duke of So-
merset, was present, and, the Editor thinks, spoke also on
this occasion.
On the 24th February, 1840, Sir Samford had written
a long letter to the President of the Board of Control (he
wrote to him many letters, for which there is not space
even to allude), after ' having perused with great atten-
tion the whole of the Indian correspondence relative to
the expediency or otherwise of annulling the General
Order of Lord William Bentinck, abolishing corporal
punishment in the native army of India.'
He declares to Sir John that he had always advocated
its abolition, as far as was consistent with discipline, and
had greatly diminished its infliction in his late command,
with very beneficial results to the service. But he
thought it necessary in the field ; and at the same time
he considered it ill-advised that the Articles of War,
or the Act of Parliament, should recognize such dis-
tinction. He also thought it invidious and dangerous
that in the same command the black troops should be
EMBARKS FOR MADRAS 459
exempt from, and the white troops be subjected to, cor-
poral punishment.
Practically, he was disposed in time of peace to do away
with all corporal punishment, except in cases of gross in-
subordination, accompanied by violence to a superior,
such as are in Continental armies visited with death.
'Still,' he adds, 'it will be obvious that it would be
highly disadvantageous and injurious to appear to aflSx
by Act of Parhament, or by general regidations, a
special penalty on going into active service : a result
likely to make taking the field most unpopular with
the soldier, and to impress his mind with the feeling
that active service was the road to disgrace instead of
honour/
On the 16th April, 1840, Sir Samford Whittingham
and his Staff embarked for Madras. Knowing the dif-
ficulty of finding in India a horse strong enough to carry
a man of his weight and stature, he had requested
General Broth erton to purchase for him a first-rate
English charger, which was effected at a considerable
price, viz. 147/. Most unfortunately this very superior
acquisition perished on board ship on the 5th May, from
inflammation in the bowels. His first aide-de-camp
wrote home : ' He is certainly a great loss to Sir Samford,
as he fears he will not be able to replace him at Madras.'
It is not too much to say that this mishap was in all pro-
bability the main cause of his premature decease some
seven months later, in the midst of promises of pros-
perity and success, such as had never before shone so
brightly on the whole of his career ! The ways of Pro-
vidence are awfully inscrutable ; but those convinced
that there is a Providence must feel that all wiU come
ricfht at last under its wise and beneficent rule.
460 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
To Sir John Cam Hohhouse.
^ At Sea, 22nd May, 1840.
<Lat. 5° 10' North, Long. 20° 17' West.
' Dear Sir, — As you have kindly permitted me to sub-
mit to your consideration two Memoirs on the attack and
defence of British India, I now beg to call your attention
to the enclosed memorandum on the same subject. It
is probably the last time I shall trouble you with my
comments on this truly interesting topic; as my time
and attention on arriving at Madras will, I imagine, be
directed to another quarter.
' I have, &c.
' Samford Whittingham.'
To Sir Willoughby Gordon^ Quartermaster-General.
^ At Sea, l(Sth June, 1840.
< Lat. 35° 4' South, Long. 7° 20' West.
' My dear General, — As the busy scene which India
at present offers will probably absorb my whole time
and attention on my arrival at Madras, I avail myself
of the leisure of a sea voyage to offer to you the ex-
pression of my sincere gratitude for all your unwearied
kindness to me since the commencement of my military
career, and at the same time to request your acceptance
of two Memoirs, and a Memorandum written by me, on
the subject of India as connected with England and
Eussia.
' Ever, my dear General, gratefully and truly yours,
' Samford Wiiittingham.'
The old Quartermaster-General had long ceased to be
that channel and dispenser of favours which, as Military
Secretary to the Duke of York, he had been in the earlier
part of the Peninsular War : the more graceful was the
warm and disinterested tribute of gratitude.
It was in the course of this voyage that the General
ARRIVES AT MADRAS DURING ABSENCE OF ELPHINSTONF. 461
wrote out tlie small manuscript that exists of his Penin-
sular ' Eecollections.'
On the 1st August the Commander-in-Chief and his
Staff landed at Madras, propelled over the breakers in
the way so novel and exciting to strangers, and was
received with the usual salutes and honours. Two
kind letters awaited him from the absent Governor,
then on the Nilgherry Hills. The first was dated 12th
July, inviting him either to join his Lordship at once on
the hills, or to take possession of Government House at
Madras, till he had time to hire his own house, for which
there was a fixed annual allowance.
It also stated that the temporary Chief, Major-General
Gough,* was at Bangalore with the General Staff of the
Army. The two civil members of the Council, Messrs.
Lushington and Sullivan, were with the Governor on the
hills, a visit to which during summer is so beneficial to
mental and bodily health and activity that it is difficult
to understand the violent objections constantly made to
it by the great officials sitting at home at ease in England.
Lord Elphinstone in the same letter mentioned, amongst
other matter of business, a plan for converting beautiful
and salubrious Outacamund into a military station. Also
he had left at Madras an excellent aide-de-camp. Lieute-
nant Thornhill, to attend and assist Sir Samford, as one
experienced in the ways of the country. The letter con-
cludes as follows : ' I do not think of descending into
the plains before the middle of October at soonest. I
need hardly say that carriages, horses, and everything I
have at Madras, are entirely at your disposal. Servants
and everything are ready at Government House, and I
have only to entreat you to make use of them and to
excuse my absence.'
Lord Elphinstone's second letter, dated Outacamund,
20th July, 1840, exhibited a fear, implied rather than
* Now Lord Gough.
462 MEMOIR OF Sm S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
expressed, that the new Commander-in-Chief might be
ojEFended at the absence of his Lordship and Council on
his arrival. In spite of his health, he would have come
down, ' if I had not some hopes of seeing you here ;
or, indeed, if I thought that my presence at Madras
could be of any use to you, either private or public.
Your commissions provide for your assumption of office
in both capacities — as Commander-in-Chief and Member
of Council — on your landing ; and Colonel Steel, the
Secretary of Government at Madras, will immediately
wait upon you with all the necessary papers, and will
explain to you the manner in which business has been
done since I left Madras, and the mode in which it is
proposed to carry it on, should you prefer to remain
there during the remainder of the hot season. I know
it is hardly necessary to enter with you into these details ;
for I am not apprehensive of any misunderstanding be-
tween us upon these or any other points. But I am
anxious to explain everything to you beforehand, as I
fear that there may be some who are interested in giving
a contrary interpretation to my conduct, and who, I
perceive, have already began in the newspapers to
speculate upon the effect which my " want of courtesy,"
as they term it, may produce upon your mind. Such
obvious trash I am really almost ashamed to notice.
For not only on personal grounds, but from a conviction
that our mutual comfort and happiness — and, I will
add, success in our public duties — mainly depends upon
the existence of harmony, and of a perfect understanding
with each other; you may rest assured that I am most
anxious to welcome you, not only with courtesy, but
with the most perfect cordiality, and with the strongest
desire to renew and cultivate your friendship, and to
secure your confidence and support If I have
dwelt too much on this subject, you must attribute it
to my anxiety, both on your account and my own, to
LORD ELPIITNSTONE'S NATURAL BUT NEEDLESS FEARS. 463
dejouer a game which has too often been played here,
and at the other presidencies.'
The reader, who knows the character of Sir Samford
Whittingham better than Lord Elphinstone then did, will
easily believe how groundless were his Lordship's appre-
hensions. Yet these were rationally grounded on pre-
cedents, in cases where conscientious performance of
duty, and loyal and generous support of authority, were
not first principles of action. In a letter dated, ' Govern-
ment House, 2nd August, 1840,' Sir Samford set his
Lordship perfectly at ease, in acknowledging his letters
of the 12th and 20th July. The fashionable young
Captain of the Blues, whose first appointment was a
job, had now ruled some years in Madras, and was
daily becoming fitter for his office. He was a man of
much tact and common sense, and made a fair average
Governor ; and later in life, when he again returned
to India as Governor of Bombay, he contributed with
zeal and energy to the suppression of the mutiny of 1857
by speedily despatching reinforcements from that presi-
dency to the scene of action.
For want of space, Sir Samford's reply to Lord Elphin-
stone is omitted, except a few sentences, fair samples of
the whole letter.
'I should have been much grieved had you come
down from the hills to meet me.' (He then states his
intention of shortly joining his Lordship on the hills,
and expresses the greatest satisfaction at the prospect
of the meeting, and adds :) — ' A very few days before
leaving England I had the very great pleasure of dining
with the Admiral [Elphinstone Fleeming] at Greenwich,
in company with your uncle Mountstuart Elphinstone,
and all the ladies of the family. I shall follow your
directions as to the journey to the Nilgherries. I will not
enter into further details till we meet ; but I am quite
464 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGIIAM.
certain that our co-operation in every respect will leave
neither of us anything to desire.'
He adds great praises of Lieutenant Thornhill, the
Governor's aide-de-camp, who truly was a model of a
personal Staff Officer, beloved and respected by every
one.
As Commanders-in-Chief visited only a few persons
of position, and these were mostly on the hills in
August, Sir Samford had not much to do in this w^ay ;
but the Military Secretary and the two aides-de-camp
were duly taken on a visiting tour of Madras society.
The hot dry wind then blew, and though the insides of
the houses were cooled with tatties^ the air outside re-
sembled that of an oven.
On the 9th August Sir Samford wrote home a long
joint letter to his brother-in-law and two nephews, stating
that after a very prosperous voyage he had landed on
the 1st August. The letter, chiefly full of private affec-
tion and chit-chat, describes the departure of the expedi-
tion for China from Calcutta, that had previously taken
place. He adds : ' I shall send them a reinforcement
of a Madras battalion in a few days ; but I must change
the commanding officer; the present is too old and
infirm.'
The effects of those three years passed in his second
service in the West Indies had began to tell on Sir
Samford's constitution before leaving England, and he
was unwell for some days soon after arriving in Madras.
The loss of the English horse also was irreparable. He
bought others, but it was impossible to find one that
could carry safely, except at a walk, a man of his
weight and size ; and as it was not a good climate for
walking, he was thus debarred from that exercise which
had become necessary to his existence.
Early in August he received a letter from a distin-
LETTER FROM LORD BURGH ERSH. 465
guished statesman and amiable man, Lord J
as follows : —
^ Downing Street, 26th March, 1840.
'My dear Sir Samford, — I have been asked to re-
commend to your notice Major H , who will be
under your authority at Madras. I understand that he
has served in India many years. His father-in-law,
Mr. L , the artist, has asked me to introduce him
to your favourable notice. I should therefore be very-
glad if you should be able to do anything to serve
him.'
' Yours, &c.,
' J. .'
To this letter, Sir Samford made on the 12 th August
a brief reply assuring his Lordship that he would do
everything in his power to meet his Lordship's wishes.
About the same time he must have received the fol-
lowing application : —
Lord Burghersh* to Sir Samford Whittingham.
'London, 24th April, 1840.
' My dear Whittingham, — I am very sorry I missed
you while you were in England : but I wish you joy of
your appointment to Madras ; and indeed of the high
and distinguished services you have so constantly ren-
dered since our first meeting at the battle of Talavera.
I enclose you a letter from the widow of my former
tutor She requests me to recommend to you
her son-in-law, , a Lieutenant in the Madras Native
Infantry ; and if you can do anything for him I should be
very much obhged to you. I give you no news from
* The late Earl of Westmoreland, soldier, diplomatist, and eminent
musician.
W H
466 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
hence — there is none of any importance. Prince Albert,
as you see, has got the 11th Dragoons.
' With every wish, &c.,
' BURGHERSH.'
To which on the 15th August Sir Samford replied
that he would do his best to meet the wishes of Lord
Burgh ersh, and adds ; ' When I met you at dear Lord
William Bentinck's, previous to my departure for the
West Indies, I was much gratified to see how little
impression time had made upon you. For truly you
appeared to me as well and as young as when we sat
together on the hill of Talavera. May you long continue
thus to prosper, and as one of the High Councillors of
the Crown, lend your powerful support to the stability
of the British monarchy.'
The following was addressed to the nephew and Mili-
tary Secretary of the Governor-General : —
Sir Samford Whittingham to the Eon. William
Godolphin Osborne.
' Madras, 20^A August, 1840.
' My dear Osborne, — I have delayed writing to you
for some days, in the hope of the arrival of an overland
mail. But as that hope has not been realized, and as I
leave this place for the Hills on the 22nd instant, I
write these lines to request you will present my respect-
ful compliments to Lord Auckland and to the ladies of
his family.
' I had the pleasure of seeing Lady Godolphin a short
time before my departure, and also your uncle. Lord
Sidney, at Hampstead ; and I have to thank her Lady-
ship for a copy of your very excellent description of
"Eunjeet Singh, his Court and Camp."
'Nothing can exceed the enthusiastic admiration in
SIR CHARLES F. SMITH'S EULOGISTIC LETTER. 467
England of Lord Auckland's celebrated campaign in
.AfFghanistan.'*
' Yours very sincerely,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Amongst the General Officers, whose congratulations
and applications, he received and replied to, were Sir
Frederick Adam, and Sir George Walker ; both greatly
distinguished in the Peninsular War ; and the latter him-
self Commander-in-Chief at Madras, at an earlier period.
Sir Charles Felix Smith, R.E., to Sir Samford
Whittingham.f
(Extract.)
' Gibraltar, Uth April, 1840.
' My dear General, — When I heard of your appoint-
ment to India, I became desirous of offering con-
gatulations on a destiny which I knew would be so
entirely in accordance with your wishes. But I hesi-
tated from not being certain whether your command
in the West was to terminate at your own pleasure, or
on the arrival in Barbadoes of your successor ; who, for
the sake of the poor old West Indians, I hope may be
guided by the sound and able example you have left
him. Unprofitable as was your command in a pecuniary
point of view, it must have been rich in the opinions it
gained for you — if indeed your former distinguished
career could derive lustre from actions short of absolute
triumphs in the field.
' Hitherto you have been a true prophet : but, query,
will not the road opened by Sir John Keane tend to
increase alarm, and render more important than ever
the views you had taken with regard to the Indian
* No one then anticipated the evils which misfortune and mismanage-
ment subsequently occasioned,
t This letter probably reached Sir Samford in August, and has this pecu-
liarity, that the congratulations were not accompanied with any requests I
H H 2
468 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
empire ? It is well for them that one so enlightened
as yourself should have been at hand to aid them in
the crisis which is rapidly approaching. Don Fernando
will doubtless accompany you. My memorias to him :
and you will, my dear General, accept the renewed, the
reiterated expressions of respect, from your faithful friend
and humble servant,
' C. F. Smith;
Sir Charles, then commanding Eoyal Engineers, had
been the second in command in Barbadoes, under Sir
Samford, and had also known him well in the Peninsula.
Sir Charles's conspicuous valour made him the hero of
many a Peninsular anecdote, familiar to veterans. He
had a very strong head, as well as a very stout heart,
and his warm voluntary testimony to the merits of his
late commander, is not unworthy of record in this mih-
tary Memoir.
Mr. W. 0. Osborne, on his way with dispatches to the
Governor-General from China, addressed a letter to Sir
Samford, dated ' Macao Eoads, 1st August, 1840,' giving
an account of his career in China, since leaving Lord
Auckland's Staff to join the 26th Cameronians. The
letter is written with characteristic ability, and its criti-
cisms on the first incompetent commander sent to China
were but too well founded.
The following letter was addressed to Mr. (afterwards
Sir) James Cosmo Melvill, Secretary to the Court of
Directors of the East India Company.
From want of space and also of present interest, the
local details regarding the politics of Madras are omitted : —
Sir Samford Whittingham to Mr. Melvill,
(Extract.)
' Madras, ll^A August, 1840.
'My dear Mr. Melvill, — I landed here on the 1st
instant, and am getting on entirely to my satisfaction.
SIR SAMFORD RECOMMENDS RAPIDITY OF MOVEMENT. 469
Nothing can be more delightful than the commence-
ment of the intercourse between Lord Elphinstone and
myself. I never saw a man more popular, and appa-
rently most deservedly. He is in the Hills at present
for his health ; but no delay of business takes place, as
the Secretary of Government is here, and he is as inde-
fatigable as able.
'A battalion, 37th Native Infantry, is here under
orders for China. I shall inspect them in a few days
and probably have to change the commanding officer.
When the troops have sailed I shall endeavour to join
Lord Elphinstone on the Hills. You will receive, by
this mail, a memorandum on the importance of our
present position in Affghanistan and the Lower Scinde,
written by me at sea. The case there assumed as more
than probable, has already occurred, and Bombay has
become the grand base of our future operations
For God's sake, my dear Mr. Melvill, let us keep always
in mind, that we hold this country by the magical charm
of our supposed irivincibility, and by the rapid progress
of our movements. A reinforcement, such as I propose
of all arms, arriving suddenly at the scene of action —
full of health and strength and European energy — would
create an effect equal to that of ten times that number,
arriving in the usual slow and ordinary manner. Our
sentiments on Chinese affairs so entirely coincide, that we
really have no case for discussion. Asiatic power can
only be supported by splendid victories. If England ever,
attempt to play a little game in the East, she is lost. . . .
Pray tell Colonel Pasley not to forget to send me out a
detailed account of the powder bags. If he is too busy.
Captain Eutherford will do it. I am much interested in
the result.
' Yours very truly,
' Samford Whittingham.'
470 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHlTTINGHAM.
Before leaving Madras to join Lord Elphinstone on the
Hills, Sir Samford with his Staff paid an official visit to the
Eegent Azeem Jah Bahadur, the young Nawab of Arcot
being a minor. Colonel Walpole, the then Eesident,
regulated all the proceedings connected with the interview
in the usual manner.
On the way to the Hills, passing through Tanjore, a
visit was due to its Eajah, but the Commander-in-Chief
being unwell, his Military Secretary was allowed to re-
present him, and accompanied by the Eesident of Tanjore,
the visit was duly paid. The party, including the Eesident
and Military Secretary, consisted of six officers. At the
interview the Eajah sat at the head of the table on his
little throne, and the visitors were seated three on either
side — the Eesident on the right and the Secretary on the
left of his Highness. The only peculiarity about the fat
and comfortable-looking Eajah was, that he was covered
with jewels. In that respect he was quite a sight. The
Eesident declared that, taken together, the pearls, diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, &c., which his Highness then wore, were
worth 50,000/.; and no doubt his mouth watered when
he said so. For, sad to relate, this representative of the
Governor of Madras, afterwards fled as an outlaw for sys-
tematic robbery of his Highness, which he effected by
making the Eajah believe that the high-minded Lord
Elphinstone had an itching palm ; and that by a golden
key, the Eajah might open his way to the gratification of
all his wishes ! It was a sad tale, fraught with shame and
dishonour to a family and to connections that did not
merit such disgrace and exposure, at the hands of one
of its most high-placed members. But nothing was sus-
pected at this time, and the Eesident was held in great
respect and honour.
Lord Elphinstone received Sir Samford and his Staff in
the most friendly manner, and they renewed their former
acquaintance with mutual satisfaction.
LETTER TO VAUGHAN DAVIS. 471
Sir Samford Whittingham to Vaughan Davis, Esq,
(Extract.)
' OuTACAMUifD, 7th September, 1840.
* Dearest Vaughan, — I have come up to this place to
transact business with Lord Elphinstone, whose health had
suffered very seriously from a severe fall on horseback,
when the horse fell over on him. I have found him all
I could wish — sensible, well-informed, and possessing
talents which his extreme modesty alone prevents from
commanding the high respect and consideration they
deserve. Be assured that the longer Lord Elphinstone
is employed, the more he will be appreciated by the
India House, and by Her Majesty's Government. I have
only brought up with me, and Bates and Dundas
have remained at Madras to get the house, &c. in order
for my return, which will be about the end of this month.
In the meantime, even this little sojourn on these most
healthy hills has done me much good. On a well-arranged
system, no delay takes place here in business, and the
quantum one can get through is tenfold. On public
grounds, and for the good of the service, I should strongly
recommend our passing the hot months of the summer
on these hills ; when (the Council sitting and the heads
of a few of the military departments being with me),
everything else would remain at Madras, and business
would be done better and more speedily. I wish you
would have a little private conversation with Mr. Melvill
on this really important subject.
' C is now employed at Madras, and his prospects
are very good, and he is giving me the greatest satisfaction
in every point of view, God be praised for all things. I
am truly glad to hear such good accounts of dear B .
Give him my best love. Hatley Frere is going to be
married to our Bishop's daughter. She stands very high
in the opinion of the best people here.
472 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' The vile West Indies have sadly shaken the old oak,
more indeed than I coidd have imagined ; * but as long as
I can sit in the saddle, I will never forget that a soldier's
existence belongs to his country, and that it is his duty to
die in the trench when necessary. I have not been able
to replace the horse I lost on the voyage, and I sadly feel
the want of that best of all exercises.
' Adieu, my beloved Vaughan,
' Your devotedly attached uncle,
' Samford Whittingham.'
This letter greatly alarmed his affectionate relatives in
England ; knowing how buoyant and sanguine were his
spirits, and how little disposed he was to dwell on, or to
magnify his ailments. It prepared them in some measure
for the approaching catastrophe.
Colonel U. Smith f to Sir S. Whittingham,
(Extract.)
* Calcutta, Vlth September, 1840.
' My dear Sir Samford Whittingham, — There is a sort
of freemasonry amongst old soldiers, who mutually shared
the dangers of their eventful lives, which so unites them
that I cannot refrain from addressing your Excellency,
although I do not call to my recollection that I have ever
had any personal intercourse with you since a period of
time so long ago as when you were A.D.C. to poor ill-
used General Whitelocke, and I a more humble performer,
adjutant to los Cazadores, the 95th Eegiment. I say ill-
used General Whitelocke, for as a boy I thought so ; and,
since a more mature knowledge of our profession has en-
* These words are placed in italics by the Editor, for in the opinion of all
the relatives and friends of Sir Samford V^^hittingham, that second service
in the West Indies, greatly shortened a life that seemed made by Nature
to endure far beyond the limits set by the Psalmist.
t The Adjutant-General of the Queen's troops in India, afterwards the
"well-known Sir Harry Smith, made a Baronet of Alhval. He had mamed
a Spanish lady during the Peninsular War.
SIR H. smith's spontaneous LETTER TO SIR SAMFORD. 473
abled me better to judge, I say so still for many reasons.
I can call you to my recollection in those days as clearly
as if the many wonderful scenes of our lives had never
occurred, or Time, that imperceptible destroyer of us all,
had never progressed. The object of my letter is one
which I hope your Excellency will regard as it is humbly
intended, to offer to your acceptance any service which it
may be in my power at any time to render you. This
done, I leave the power of so doing to future circum-
stances, and pray you to calculate upon Ohras y no
palabras.
'Your Excellency's command having been indented
on — that elegant expression — for the 55th and 62nd
Eegiments, has an enlivening appearance; but whether
they may enjoy a mountainous climate or not, is a
question to be solved. The tea trade, in commercial
language is looking up, and everything has been done
by Admiral Elliot which was expected. I think old
Sir Varment Willoughby* has his hands full, and Shah
Shooja. Vivas el Rey are very likely to end in Vivas el
Emperador\ that barony of Ghuznee is far from being
settled.
'I hope your Excellency will not consider me intru-
sive in thus addressing you ; but accept as my apology
the high regard I cannot fail to entertain for every soldier
of conspicuous and bright career, and in which [number]
you stand grouped. May you continue to enjoy your high
command in good health, the great requisite of this or any
country. Did you see that noble-hearted old Radical
Admiral Fleeming ? Many is the anecdote I have heard
of you from him. Believe me, General,
' Very faithfully and sincerely yours,
' H. G. Smith.'
The Editor also possessed a later letter or rather note
* A playful mm de guen-e, for General Sir Willoughby Cotton.
474 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
from Colonel Smith to Sir Samford, which is unfortu-
nately lost or mislaid. It contained one important pas-
sage ; the pleased expectation of the Staff at Calcutta,
that the Commander at Madras would shortly succeed
to the supreme Commander-in-Chief-ship. By science
and by experience assuredly no one, then available, was
fitter for the post, but the race is not always to the swift
nor the battle to the strong. At length Sir Samford had
obtained in the British army rank equal to that which
twenty-six years previously he had obtained in the Spanish
army. Was he at last to have that opportunity on a great
scale, which Sir Willoughby Cotton had written was all
that he wanted, and which in speech and in writing Wel-
lington had practically confirmed ? That final crowning
of his labours was denied him by an unscrutable but
allwise Providence. That, indeed, was decided when the
prejudices of his father had retarded for ten or twelve
years the entrance of his son into the service, which
brought him to the Peninsula bereft of that rank, without
which it is rarely possible to make a great name, whilst
many men younger than himself were already Enghsh
Generals. The long and severe tropical services, with the
brain ever at work, and finally the injurious second stay
in the West Indies, completed the evil, and deprived of
his well-merited rewards a servant of the Crown whose
great talents and unwearied zeal and abilities are proved
by testimonies which, in number and in weight, could
hardly be surpassed.
On most cordial terms with the Governors, both in
public and in private matters. Sir Samford was equally on
the best of terms with all the other authorities. Space
will not allow of many proofs ; but here is one : —
LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF MADRAS. 475
Dr. Spencer^ Bishop of Madras^ to Sir Samford
Whittingham.
< KoTAGHERRY, 10th October, 1840.
'Dear Sir Samford, — Accept my best thanks for the
copy of your Excellency's most Christian and sensible
letter.* If such principles are steadily acted upon, our
blessed religion cannot be kept back from this benighted
land, and I am indeed thankful that they are held by
one occupying so very distinguished and important a
station in India.
' I most sincerely hope that your Excellency continues
in good health, and that you do not feel the Madras
climate disagreeable. My duties call me to the Western
coast, and it will be long before I can hope to visit the
Presidency. May I be permitted to add then one induce-
ment to wish myself there would be the opportunity it
would afford me of improving an acquaintance, which,
however, I hope to be allowed to cultivate next year
under a more genial sky. I have the honour to be, dear
Sir Samford,
' Your Excellency's most faithful servant,
' G. T. Madras.'
The extreme courtesy he displayed to the amiable
young Governor did not prevent the Commander-in-
Chief from asserting his rights, and especially when the
good of the service required their assertion. In all his
correspondence with his Lordship, constant and copious,
only in one letter is there the slightest cloud, namely
in one dated 'Madras, 1 9th October.' He there writes to
the Governor, that while it is his duty to carry his wishes
into effect as regards the movement of troops, he is anxious
* This probably refers to a letter written to Mr. James Cosmo Melvill
advocating the general secular education of the Natives, as the best means
of gradually destroying their superstitions, without risk of creating jealousy
or animosity.
476 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
the details should he left to him. He goes on : ' There is
not a company of artillery in the command which can
be said to be fit for service ; for there is not one with
its complement of ofiicers. Your private letter to me,
my dear Lord, was just as satisfactory as though it had
come in the most official form. And I was only anxious
to call your attention to the state of the personnel of our
artillery, in support of the minute I have submitted to the
Council on that subject/
' I quite agree with you that everything must be left to
the decision of the Bombay Government ; and I rejoice
that your Lordship has done everything in your power to
aid and assist that Government.'
On the 8th November, he informs Lord Elphinstone:
'I know of nothing in which officers in command are
more often neglectful than in furnishing correct returns of
the real efficiency of the different arms. We shall at last
arrive doubtless at the truth ; but unless attention be paid
to the requisite changes of system, recommended in my
minute on the artillery of this Presidency, we shall never
be efficient in that most important of all arms.
' Unless the Punjab were conquered and in our posses-
sion, that hne of our operations from our North-west
frontier to Affghanistan must always be more or less
insecure. Nevertheless the assembhng of a large force on
that frontier to protect our advance to the Sikh country
is a wise and prudent measure. But under existing cir-
cumstances too much attention cannot be paid to Herat
as the real pivot of all our operations in Scinde ; as secur-
ing to us the command of the Indies, and of the Bolan
Pass ; and consequently of our communicating from Bom-
bay to Candahar and Cabool.'
The letter is not extant to which the following is a
reply : —
SIR SAMFORD's LOYALTr TO THE GOVERNMENT. 477
Sir Samford Whittingham to the Hon, J. Sullivan^
{Member of Council),
(Extract.)
' Madras, 2Uh November, 1840.
' I cannot tell you how much I regret the not seeing
you again before your departure for England ; but I trust
we shall pass many days together on your return. My
opinion of your delightful hills can never vary ; but there
is a point of view to which we have none of us hitherto
given due weight. I allude to the colonization of that
interesting part of the country; which would be the
certain consequence of locating a regiment in the vicinity
of Outacamund. You, better than any man, are acquainted
with the importance of those hills in the military and civil
view. I recommend them to your protection at home.
The cultivation of coffee alone would be of infinite value.
' If you are still inclined to let me have your house on
the Hills, I shall be happy to rent it on your own terms,
from the 1st ApriP next to the 1st October.
' With regard to my Memoirs on Indian affairs, I will
state to you frankly, that as I predicted too truly many of
the evils which have occurredj and as the Government
have taken most active measures to remedy these evils, I
should not wish to appear to criticize any acts of my
superiors, when the time for rendering my opinions useful
has gone by,
'Ever&c.,&c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
Noble sentiments the reader will allow ; and worthy of
the man who was soon to die, as he had lived, in the
arduous and zealous service of his country ; with nothing
to transmit to his family, but a name that he alone had
raised from insignificance, and under the greatest dis-
* Ominous date j wliicli he lived not to see. TJhommc propose, mats
Dieu dispose.
478 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
advantages, to a height which had gained the esteem of
the most illustrious and most aristocratic of Englishmen ;
as recorded on many memorable occasions.
Sir Hugh Gough was now sent to China ; and was
destined soon to be Sir Samford's nominal successor at
Madras, and thence to pass on to the chief command
in Calcutta, on his road to many victories and two peer-
ages, pensions, and prize money, with fairy-tale-like
rapidity.
The following letter can hardly fail to interest the
reader : —
Major Stokes, Resident of Mysore, to Sir Samford
Whittingham.
' Elwak, 16th November, 1840.
' Your Excellency, — I had the honour to receive in due
course of post, your letter of the 5th October, with its en-
closed copy of a letter from Colonel Gurwood to your
address on the subject of the ' Wellington Dispatches.'
I also had the honour to receive a letter from Lord
Elphinstone on the same subject.
' I am much obliged to your Excellency for having
given me an opportunity of aiding, in however slight a
degree, in rendering more perfect a work of such great
national interest as that referred to.
'As required by Colonel Gurwood, I have carefully
compared the letters and other papers in the records of
my office, bearing the signature, " Arthur Wellesley " (the
present Duke of Wellington), with the printed .copies of
them published in the first volumes of His Grace's ' Dis-
patches.' With this day's post, you will receive a packet
containing the particulars of the inaccuracies in the letters,
which this comparison has led to the discovery of, together
with correct copies of eighteen letters, bearing his Grace's
signature, which are not to be found in the printed
volumes referred to.
CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE WELLINGTON DISPATCHES. 479
' As indicative of the industry of his Grace — and as every
particular connected with his career must be interesting
to every lover of his country — I have added a column to
the statement which I forward to your Excellency, which
will show that, with very few exceptions, the whole of his
letters on the records of this department are in his own
handwriting.
' To one who loves the Duke, as I know your Excel-
lency does, it will be a gratification to hear that though
it is thirty-five years since he was last in the town of
Mysore, the name of " Wellesley " is still generally and
publicly known in it.
' I have, &c., &c.,
' T. D.* Stokes.'
In his reply dated 25th November, apologizing for de-
lay in consequence of his suffering from ophthalmia Sir
Samford thanks the Eesident, and promises to forward
all the papers and also his letter to Colonel Gurwood
by the first opportunity.
Sir Samford Whittingham to Colonel Gurwood.
• Madras, ith December, 1840.
' My dear Colonel Gurwood, — I have now the pleasure
to enclose the papers received from Major Stokes, the
Eesident at Mysore, in answer to your queries on the
subject of the " Dispatches."
' Major Phillips of the 15th Hussars, who proceeds to
England in the merchant ship '' Reliance,'' to sail from
hence in a few days, has undertaken to deliver them to
you.
' Should you have any further investigations to make
on this most interesting subject, I shall be too happy to be
employed ; for I consider myself in common with every
* The second initial of Christian names can only be guessed at in the
signature.
480 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
British subject,* as owing to you a debt of gratitude we
never can repay.
' Believe me, &c.,
' Samford Whittingham.'
One of his last extant letters is of the 23rd December,
and addressed to the late Lord (then Sir Hussey) Vivian,
in praise of his relative Major Vivian, 'a promising
young officer,' whom he intends to provide for as soon
as possible.
Of his private letters, the following are extracted from
those of latest date, supposed to be now in existence.
A merciful providence was gilding his last days with
happiness and contentment, and preparing a bright and
cheerful sunset for the close of a somewhat harassing
and agitated, though honourable career.
Without entering deeply into religious matters, which,
though precious to friends, might be out of place in this
work, it must here be stated, that the state of mind of
Sir Samford Whittingham had been for some years such,
as to render the idea of sudden death terrible neither to
himself, nor to his friends ; and his last letters fully es-
tablish his possession of that peace of mind, which prac-
tical Christianity nearly always instils into its votaries.
On the 28th November he writes to Miss Davis, his
youngest niece : 'Our overland communications being
stopped, I avail myself of the expected arrival of the " Re-
liance " from Calcutta for England, to prepare a letter for
dear home. C is still with me, and is the delight
and comfort of my life. is an able and enlightened
Military Secretary. My house is a home of peace and
tranquillity ; and I am more thankful to Almighty God
than I have words to express, for all his many mercies to
me and mine. The w^eather here is now very pleasant, but
I have not yet regained my former strength and vigour.
* More than most men he had cause for gratitude; for these Dispatches by
doin^ him justice have helped to neutralize tV/justice.
SIR samford's last letters. 481
On the 30th he writes in the same contented and cheer-
ful strain. ' I cannot tell you how very happy we all
are, and what a charming little family circle we form.
They all study my happiness and comfort. This house is
by far the best I have ever lived in, and we are all well
lodged. How truly thankful do I feel to the Almighty for
all the blessings I enjoy! My health is fast amending, and
all the young ones are quite blooming.'
Two more proofs will suffice to demonstrate the happy
and religious state of mind, in which his sudden summons
found him, to the great consolation of his surviving rela-
tives.
On the 4th December, 1840, he writes to his younger
nephew : ' Our overland correspondence having been
brought to a close, we are bound to avail ourselves of
every private channel which may present itself I have
latterly been a great sufferer from an attack of ophthalmia ;
but it is now, thank God, well over, and has merely left
a little weakness in the eyes, which makes me abstain from
writing more than I like. Our domestic luck is quite
heart cheering. C is living with me ; and is the
charm and comfort of my life. I hope to obtain for him
very shortly a really good situation.* is as steady
as an old man of business, and a really able Military Secre-
tary. B is my right hand ; and I shall be indebted
to him for whatever may be my future independence.f
In short, such a family of love and happiness I have
only witnessed at home.'
Owing to some stoppage in the overland route at this
period, and the state of his eyes. Sir Samford did not
write much during the last few weeks of his life. His
latest (extant) letter was written to his first, oldest and
• In the Civil Service.
t This aide-de-camp successively served on the StaflP of Sir Samford
^Tiittingham, Lord Elphinstone, Sir Robert Dick, Lord Gough, and then
with Lord Elphinstone a second time, equally valued and esteemed by
all.
I I
482 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
best friend, his brother-in-law, an extract from which
closes Sir Samford's correspondence: —
< Madeas, 2Uh December^ 1840.
* My dearest Brother, — The long-expected overland
mail has arrived at last, and brought letters up to
October 12th from you, and the darling C , my
dear Hart, B , and D . Only conceive what a
treat after so long a privation, and such a state of un-
certainty as to the future! The only drawback is the
exceedingly short space allowed us to answer the nume-
rous arrivals. I only received the letters last night, and
the express goes off to-morrow evening ; and to-morrow is
Christmas Day. There was a time when that considera-
tion would have had little weight with either you or me ;
but I thank God that time is over It is indeed
a blessing to find C all I could wish, just the dear
amiable creature he used to be. He is without exception
the pleasantest domestic companion I have known. In
the house he is the delight and comfort of us all. Alas !
for how short a time he has been with us. He was
obliged to join his station at Cuddalore, where he has
already arrived. Pray tell my much-loved V to
send me "Blunt's Lectures," They are intended as a
present to C from me. 's judgment, ability,
and steadiness, fill me with admiration and pleasure. He
is an excellent Military Secretary There- is not in
existence a human being whose heart more overflows
with humble gratitude to God than mine. . . . B is
a treasure in every sense of the word.' [After many
long and endearing messages to aU his relatives the writer
continues] : ' I cannot tell you, my dearest brother, with
what delight I look forward to the time of my returning
to England, and to the renewal of that intimacy which
has for so many years been a source of comfort and hap-
piness to us both ! May our friendship and love go on
increasing to the last day of our lives ; and may God's
LORD F. somerset's LETTER TO EDITOR. 483
mercy grant that we may yet pass a few happy years to-
gether.
* Your affectionate and devotedly attached brother,
' Samford Whittingham.'
On the 19th January 1841, one of the dragoons of
the Commander-in-Chiefs escort was dispatched for the
Chief's son, then taking his afternoon ride on the Madras
beach, who gallopped home in time to witness the last
breath, and no more. This sudden call w^as a mercy to
the departed, whose last moments were thus spared the
grief of knowing that he was leaving his family before
making adequate provision for them. And nothing could
exceed the kindness of Lord Elphinstone to the sons of
the deceased General, and to his personal Staff.
Mr. Melvill, in the name of the Chairman of the Court
of Directors, and the Adjutant-General of the Horse-
Guards, also forwarded their kind and valued condolences.
That of Lord Fitzroy Somerset, the Military Secretary to
Lord Hill, with the account of the funeral, will now close
this Memoir : —
To Lieutenant F. Whittingham, 67th Regiment.
' HoESE-GuAEDS, Slst March, 1841.
' My dear Sir, — The last mail from India brought me
your letter of the 22nd January, conveying to me the
melancholy intelligence of the sudden death of your father,
Sir Samford Whittingham ; and I avail myself of the ear-
liest opportunity to condole with you upon an event,
which has not only deprived you of a kind and affec-
tionate father, upon whose assistance and exertions you
naturally relied for advancement in your profession, but
has likewise deprived the service of a distinguished Gene-
ral Officer, who was devoted to his duty, and by the zeal
and abihty he had ever displayed, when the occasion
I I 2
484 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
was afforded him, had obtained the esteem and confi-
dence of the Government and the Commander-in-Chief.
' Lord Hill most sincerely laments his loss, and desires
me to assure you that he feels very much for you, and
will be happy when circumstances may enable him to
select you for advancement. In the meantime, his Lord-
ship has granted you leave of absence to enable you to
remain in India : and as no officer has yet been selected
as successor to your much-regretted father, and in the
absence of Sir Hugh Gough, Sir Eobert Dick is supposed
to be acting Commander-in-Chief, I have received Lord
Hill's directions, to express to him his Lordship's hopes,
that he would, if he should be able, place you in some
employment.
' I remain, dear Sir,
* Your very faithful servant,
' FiTZROY Somerset.'
SOME PAETICULAKS OF THE DEMISE AND FUNERAL OF
THE LATE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR SAMFORD
V^HITTINGHAM, &c.*
' It is with extreme regret we have to announce the
death of Sir Samford Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H.,
Commander-in-Chief of this Presidency. The melancholy
event took place about half-past seven o'clock on Tuesday
evening last (19th January, 1841).
' His Excellency had attended Council in the course
of the day ; and, on his return home about four o'clock,
partook of some slight refreshment, and lay down for
a short time, desiring his servant to call him precisely at
five, at which hour he had ordered his carriage, for the
purpose of taking his evening's drive. After coming down
stairs, he went into the compound to give some directions
regarding the pitching of a tent, and almost immediately
* Taken from The Athencmm, Madras Newspaper, of Thursday, January
21, 1841.
THE DE;VJISE. 485
returned complaining of indisposition. Dr. Cole was sent
for, and arrived about a quarter to six, and proceeded at
once to take from his Excellency a considerable quantity
of blood ; but apoplexy quickly succeeded, and, notwith-
standing that most prompt means were adopted, both by
Drs. Cole and Lane, to prevent fatal consequences, he ex-
pired shortly after the attack.
' We believe but one feeling exists with regard to the
departed, and that of the most favourable character.
During the short time that he had been amongst us, he
had secured to himself the respect and esteem of all who
came in contact with him. The army had just begun to
reap the fruits of his unremitting concern for its welfare ;
and, from his known reputation as a soldier, the highest
expectations were formed as to the measures he would in
future adopt, to perfect its mechanism, and uphold its
efficiency. This sudden stroke at once disappoints the
hopes entertained, and deprives the soldier of a warm
and zealous friend, and Her Majesty's and the Honourable
Company's Army of an officer of consummate mihtary
talent and ability.
' It is an event calculated to produce a serious, and we
hope also a salutary impression, throughout all ranks of
society, and especially in the army. To his family it is
a severe visitation. The suddenness of his death reads
an affecting lesson to the living. It should not, there-
fore, be permitted to pass by, without fixing in the mind
the necessity of preparing for so solemn an event. The
records of every day are fraught with instructions to this
effect ; but, when a great man falls — a mighty man, a
man of war — it points a moral, the neglect of which
argues an insensibihty distressingly painful to every in-
dividual who feels interested in the happiness of the
human family.
'The undermentioned Official Orders were issued in
the course of the following day : we merely insert them
486 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
for the information of our up-country readers, and to show
the deep interest excited by this unexpected and truly
affecting event.
' Garrison Morning Orders,
* Fort St. Geoege, 20th January, 1841.
' It is with extreme regret the Eight Honourable the
Governor announces to the garrison the death of Lieu-
tenant-General Sir S. F. Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H.,
Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces on this Estabhsh-
ment, which melancholy event occurred about half-past
seven o'clock last night. In testimony of respect for
the memory of the deceased, his Lordship directs that
the colours of the Fort be immediately hoisted half-staff
high, and to continue so until after the interment has
taken place ; and minute guns (15), corresponding with
the rank of the deceased, be fired from the saluting bat-
tery, on the arrival of the procession at the Government
Bridge.
'A Serjeant, corporal, and twelve privates, from the
hght company of H. M.'s 57th Eegiment to be sent imme-
diately to the residence of the late Commander-in-Chief,
as a guard of honour over his remains.
' F. L. DOVETON,
' Town Major.
' Garrison After Order.
' A funeral party, for the interment of the late Lieu-
tenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham, K.C.B. and
K.C.H., to be formed at half-past five this evening, on
the road leading from his Excellency's garden towards
the Fort, by the Mount Eoad, near the Dispensary. The
party to consist of the whole of the effective troops in
garrison, with the Eight Honourable the Governor's body-
guard, and a proportion of artillery from St. Thomas's
Mount.
THE FUNERAL. 487
' Detailed instructions respecting its order of formation
will be issued from the Adjutant-General's office.
' A salute of 15 guns to be fired from the saluting bat-
tery immediately after the infantry has ceased firing.
' The Eight Honourable the Governor directs that all
officers belonging to the garrison, not on duty with the
troops, will attend ; and that every officer will wear a piece
of black crape on his left arm, and have their ornaments,
on hat or cap, also the sword-knot, covered with the same
material.
When the troops halt, to form a street, no carriages or
other conveyance will be permitted to enter it, with the
exception of those belonging to the Eight Honourable the
Governor, the members of Council, the judges of the
Supreme Court, and the chief mourners.
' Twelve privates of the light company to be selected as
under-bearers.
'F. L. DOVETON,
* Town Major.
' With deep regret the Eight Honourable the Governor
in Council announces the demise of his Excellency Lieu-
tenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham, K.C.B. and
K.C.H., and requests the attendance of all officers, civil
and military, of Her Majesty's and the Honourable Com-
pany's service, and of all other gentlemen at the presi-
dency, at his Excellency's funeral this evening. The pro-
cession will move from his residence to Fort St. George
at five o'clock, p.m.
' Fort St. George, 20th January j 1841.
' By order of the Eight Honourable the Governor in
Comicil.
' H. Chamier,
' Chief Secretary.
488 MEMOIR OF SIR S. F. WHITTINGHAM.
' General Orders by the Right Hon. the Governor in
Council,
'Fort St. George, 20th January ^ 1841.
' With great- grief the Eight Hon. the Governor in
Council announces to the army the demise of his Excel-
lency Lieutenant -General Sir Samford Whittingham,
Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Mihtary
Order of the Bath and of the Eoyal Hanoverian Guelphic
Order, Commander-in-Chief at this Presidency, which
event took place at Madras, on the 19th instant.
' On this melancholy occasion, the flag of the Fort will
be hoisted half-mast high ; and 15 minute guns, corre-
sponding with the rank of the late Commander-in-Chief,
will be fired at each of the principal military stations
under this government.
' The Governor in Council further directs, that the
Officers of Her Majesty's and the Hon. Company's Army
will wear mourning for a fortnight from this present date.
' By Order of the Eight Hon. The Governor in Council.
' H. Chamier,
'Chief Secretary.
' Programme.
* The arrangements made by the authorities for con-
ducting the procession were in conformity with the fol-
lowing programme : —
' The troops ordered for the funeral of his Excellency
Lieutenant-General Sir Samford Whittingham, K.C.B. and
K.C.H., Commander-in-Chief, &c., &c., assembled yes-
terday afternoon (the 20th), at a quarter to five o'clock,
on the Mount Eoad, — under the command of Lieut.-
Colonel E. E. Jones, K.H., of H. M.'s 57th regiment. The
troops in the garrison formed in column of quarter dis-
tance, left in front, facing to the Fort ; the rear of the
column halted opposite to the Athenaeum Library.
' The artillery marched down left in front, and formed
in rear of H.M.'s 57th regiment.
THE FUNEEAL 489
' The procession moved in the following order : —
Garrison Band.
39th Reg. N. I.
H. M.'s 57th Regiment.
Golundauze Battalion of Artillery.
2nd Battalion of Artillery.
The Right Honourable the Governor's Body Guard,
Band of H.lNI.'s 57th Regiment.
His Excellency the Commander-in-Chiefs Charger, led
by Non-commissioned Officers of Cavalry.
Flanked by his Ex- Flanked by his Ex-
cellency the Com- /fTTU^ 'IKrtJiM cellency the Com-
mander in Chief 's ^4^*^ iOUUg* mander in Chief 'e
Escort, in file. Escort, in file.
His Excellency the Commander in Chiefs Carriage.
The Right Honourable the Governor's Carriage.
The Honourable the Chief Justice's Carriage.
The Honourable the Councillors' Carriages.
The Honourable the Puisne Judge's Carriage.
Other Carriages in succession.
'No carriages but those of the chief mourners, the
Eight Hon. the Governor, the Members of the Council,
and Judges of the Supreme Court, were allowed to pass
beyond the Wallajah Bridge, where the procession halted.
' The infantry and foot-artillery moved forward into the
Fort, passing by the Town Major's house and main guard,
toward St. Mary's church, where the column halted, and
the troops formed street.
' The body-guard passed over the bridge, and formed
up in line to the right and left on the road leading to the
Saluting Battery and General Hospital, fronting the river,
resting upon their swords reversed, and the trumpets
sounding a Dead March as the hearse passed.
' The procession then moved forward, the troops rest-
ing upon their arms reversed, bands of music playing
the Dead March in " Saul."
' The garrison band fell back to the front of the hearse,
and preceded it in its progress to the church.'
490 MEMOIR OF SIR S. P. WHITTINGHAM.
' The Funeral.
' The procession followed the corpse in the following
order : —
The Eight Honourable the Governor and Staff.
The Councillors and Judges.
Commander in Chief's Personal Staff.
Secretaries to Government.
Members of Boards.
Officers and Gentlemen two and two, the juniors leading.
' When the procession reached the church, the artillery
and infantry formed in line, broke into columns of sub-
divisions, left in front, and the left resting upon St. Mary's
church, the right thrown back, and prolonged towards St.
George's gate. The body was then taken from the hearse,
accompanied by pall-bearers, in the persons of his Excel-
lency the Governor,* Col. Monteith, Col. Doveton, Sir E.
Comyn, and the Hon. Mr. Bird. The corpse was then met
at the gate by the Eev. Mr. Mahon, A.M. and the Eev. Mr.
Knox, B.A. The faneral service was chiefly performed
by Mr. Mahon, assisted by Mr. Knox, who read the Psalms
and Lessons usual for such occasions. After which the
corpse was lowered into the grave by 24 grenadiers of
H.M.'s 57th regiment, when three volleys were fired by
word of command and by signal, which was made by the
garrison flag being hoisted to the mast-head.
' During the procession 15 minute guns were fired from
the Saluting Battery, which commenced when the hearse
reached the Government Bridge ; and a further salute of
15 guns after the body was deposited in the grave, next
to Lord Pigott, late Governor of Madras, on the north side
of the pulpit, facing the communion table, which was
made known by the hoisting of the garrison flag.
' The parade was then dismissed, and the troops
* Lord Elphinstone, then Governor of Madras ; and, many years later
Governor of Bombay.
THE FUNERAL. 491
marched to their respective quarters, right in front, no
drums beating until outside of the Fort.
' The inner coffin was of wood, covered with lead, and
this was again enclosed in a wooden case. We under-
stand the Governor gave instructions for an arch to be
thrown over the grave, which work commences this day.
' The sight was one of the most afiecting and solemnly-
imposing that has been witnessed in Madras for many
a day. Nearly the whole of the civil and military service
at the Presidency were in attendance, and a great multi-
tude of people from among all classes of the population.
' The flag-staffs at the Fort and the' Custom House had
the union jack flying half mast high, as was also the case
with all the ships in the roads. The general feehng har-
monized in every respect with the mournful occasion.'
'*
* A tablet was subsequently put up by his sons to the memory of Sir
Samford W^hittingham, in the Garrison Church at Madras.
J
APPENDICES,
APPENDIX A.
Cofy of Original Report of Major-General Whittingham to
Lieutenant-General La Pena, Commander-in-Chief, of his
Share in the Battle of Barossa, fought on March 5, 1811.
' Exmo. Senor, — Como k las dos de la tarde del dia 5 del
corriente recibi orden de V. E. para quedarme con tres eseua-
drones y dos companias de Caballeria, y mil trecientos cincuenta
hombres de la Infanteria que mandaba el Brigadier Don Anto-
nio Begines de los Rios en el campo del Cerro del Puerco, en
consecuencia iba d tomar posicion, uniendome ^ la Infanteria,
cuando me avis6 el Coronel Don Luis Michelena que se veian
tropas que parecian enemigas por su marcha acia nosotros.
Accelere la reunion, y reconoci al enemigo que marchaba en
dos fuertes columnas, llevando un batallon de tropas ligeras d
su vanguardia ; la una marchaba directamente d mi posicion, y
la otra se prolongaba por su izquierda para envolverme. Mande
formar la Infanteria en cuadros, y la Caballeria al flanco iz-
quierdo en escalones para sostener el punto. A este tiempo
recibi la 6rden de V. E. para replegarme sobre el grueso del
exercito, y descubri ademas de las dos columnas enemigas ya
dichas, otra mas fuerte que venia acceleradameute sobre mi
izquierda para interponerse al Pinar que mediaba entre mi
campo y el del exercito, unico paso que me quedaba para cum-
plir, replegandome, la ultima resolucion de V. E. Las fuerzas
enemigas eran quadruplas cuando menos d las que yo tenia.
' Determine, en virtud de dicha orden, que la Infanteria
emprendiese su retirada cubierta por la Caballeria. El batallon
Ingles, a las 6rdenes del Coronel Bran, rompio la marcha, y en
seguida las tropas Espanolas. Lleve conmigo el destacamento
de Carabineros Reales, y una compania de Husares Ingleses
494 APPENDICES.
para cubrir el flanco derecho de la linea de marcha retrograda,
y interponiendome entre esta y el enemigo, continuando la reti-
rada hasta tomar posesion del bosque, donde inmediatamente
coloque al Brigadier Don Juan de la Cruz, encargandole cu-
briese el flanco derecho de la posicion que el enemigo ya inten-
taba envoi ver. En cumplimiento ^ mis instrucciones, el Mayor
Bush, con los Husares In^eses, los Tenientes Coroneles Don
Francisco Eamonet y Don Francisco Serrano con un escuadron
de Grranaderos, y el de la misma clase Don Santiago Wall con
dos companias del de su mando, se sostuvieron con algunas
guerillas de Infanteria, hasta que se retiro la Infanteria, todo el
bagage del exercito, y las dos piezas de artilleria, que hasta el
memento de ser atacadas vivamente, hicieron firmes un muy
acertado y vigoroso fuego sobre los enemigos.
* La Caballeria cubrio perfectamente la retirada, y en buen
orden, no obstante las continuadas escaramuzas que hizo la
enemiga en todo su avance, reunida desde que se avisto, y mas
fuerte en una tercera parte contra la nuestra, repartida entonces
en varios puntos.
* En este memento divise el cuerpo del Greneral Graham, que
salia del bosque, dirigiendose sobre su antigua posicion de las
alturas ya ocupadas por el enemigo. Dificil seria dar una justa
idea del impetu con que fue arrojado de todas ellas por las
bayonet^s Inglesas el enemigo comun que venia cargandonos
con tanto orguUo y confianza, como si tuviera ya la victoria con-
seguida. Su fuerza era doble de la Inglesa, pero la victoria,
aunque costosa, fue completa, y decidida por el acero de las
bayonetas. Se hubiera recogido el fruto de esta seiialada Jor-
nada, aun mas alia del objeto principal, si los enemigos en su
precipitada retirada — pues abandonaron alli sus heridos de todas
clases y caracter, tres piezas, y dos carros de municiones — hubie-
ran side cargados de flanco, 6 amenazados por la retaguardia.
* Un escuadron de Husares Ingleses que estaba a mi mando
ataco al de Gruardia del Mariscal Victor, lo destrozo, y disperse
completamente. Dicho escuadron de Husares Ingleses, junta-
mente con el ya indicado de Grranaderos Espaiioles al mando
del Baron de Carondelet, y las dos compaiiias de Don Santiago
Wall, cubrian el ala derecha, y sostenidos por las tropas de los
Brigadieres Don Antonio Begines y Don Juan de la Cruz, evi-
taron por su bizarra conducta, y maniobras, que el enemigo nos
APPENDICES. 495
envoi viese por la playa como lo intento por dos veces. Aquellas
dos compaiiias se portaron con bizarria, retirandose y avanzando
oportunamente sobre el enemigo, como igaalmente el destaca-
mento de Carabineros Reales. Toda la Caballeria en fin cumplio
brillantemente con su deber.
' El exercito enemigo, despues de verse rechazado de las altu-
ras, emprendio su retirada en orden, cubierto por su Caballeria.
Este fue el instante en que me prometi reunir y obrar ofensi-
vamente con los cuatrocientos caballos que tenia a mi disposicion,
para lo que avise a Kamonet, y Serrano, que en union con Wall
observasen y cooperasen a los movimientos de los Husares
Ingleses y Carabineros Keales que yo llevaba conmigo, cuando
se dejo ver sobre la derecba de toda la linea una columna de
Infanteria como de quinientos hombres, precedida de una partida
de Caballeria, y moviendose como para ganar nuestra espalda.
Fue indispensable maniobrar en su observacion mientras la
reconocia un sargento y seis hombres del escuadron de Grrana-
deros, y se me escapo la ocasion de cargar al enemigo, que se
retiraba de priesa, con toda mi Caballeria disponible. A la
cabeza de los Husares Ingleses segui sobre el, y resolvi atacar
un trozo de Caballeria situado al lado de una laguna, que cubria
su flanco izquierdo; mas en mi marcha descubri que toda la
Infanteria enemiga se liabia colocado a su derecha, y sostenido
por su Artilleria, apoyandose en el Pinar, situacion que no per-
mitia un movimiento aislado 6 parcial contra dicho trozo prote-
gido tan inmediatamente. En esta situacion se colocaron en
posicion por el Greneral Grraham dos piezas de artilleria, que
tirando con acierto, obligaron al enemigo a continuar su retirada
entre la laguna y el Pinar con direccion d Chiclana.
' No puedo menos de suplicar a V. E. haga presente a S. A. S.
el particular merito d toda prueba que ban contrahido todos los
gefes, oficiales, y tropa que en esta accion se hallaron a mis
ordenes, sin resolverme a individualizar ante V. E. a ninguno,
pues todos a porfia llenaron cumplido, y honrosamente, con su
deber, al paso que les llegaba la ocasion feliz de mostrar a la
nacion que son sus defensores.
' Dios guarde a V. E. muchos anos.
' Campo del Cerro de los Martires, 7 de Marzo de 1811.
' ExMO. Senor Don Santiago Wiiittingham.
^ Exmo. Senor Don Manuel de la Pena,
General en Gefe.'
496
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX B.
Return of Coiys of different Arms of the Spanish Ai^my
under the Orders of Lieutenant-General Whittingham, when
only Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army,
Saragossa, Head-quarters, April 1, 1814.
Regiments of Infantry
Regiments of Cavalry
Horse Artillery
5th Battn. of Grenadiers
The Prince's Regt. of Horse
Squadrons 5th
1st Regt. of Cordova
Santiago do.
and 6th, each
Ist do. Guadalaxara
Calatrava do.
squadron con-
1st do. Grenada
Queen's Dragoons
sisting of 3
2nd do. Majorca
Almanza do.
troops, each
2nd do. Burgos
Madrid do.
troop 4 pieces
2nd do. Murcia
Soria do.
of 8, and 2
Ist do. NuevaCreacion
Olivenza Chasseurs
howitzers of
Cazadores of Majorca
Ubrique do.
5 J inch.
Company of Sappers
La Mancha do.
Ferdinand VII.'s Hussars
Total : — 9 regiments of infantry ; 11 regiments of cavalry ; 18 pieces of
artillery.
Military College at Majorca, founded by General Whittingham, and
under his direction.
General Cavalry Depot, established by General Whittingham, and under
his orders.
APPENDIX C.
Sir Samford Whittingham^ s Letter to Viscount Comhermere
concerning Lieutenant {now Lieutenant-Colonel) Caine.
' Cawnporb, November 26, 1827.
* My Lord, — In compliance with your Lordship's wishes, I
have the honour to state officially the gallant conduct of Lieu-
tenant Caine (late of the 14th Foot), 3rd, or Buffs, at the
assault of Bhurtpore on the 18th January, 1826.
' Lieutenant Caine accompanied the right column of attack
(in his capacity of Major of Brigade of the 1st Brigade), under
the command of Major Everard, 14th, and continued at its head,
during the day. Whilst leading a small party of ten or twelve
APPENDICES. 497
men in advance of the column, he found his progress arrested
by a deep cut in the rampart of Gropalgurh, which he leaped
across, but his men being unable to follow in a similar manner,
were obliged to descend and reascend the rampart before they
could join the Lieutenant, who found himself singly opposed to
three of the enemy, two of whom he killed with his double-
barrelled pistol, and destroyed the third man by closing with
and throwing him over the rampart into the ditch, as the Lieu-
tenant found his sword could not make any impression through
the armour of the Jaut, which was worn over a cotton jacket.
* Lieutenant Caine was the first officer up at the taking of the
Kumbheer Gate, which was carried by him, with about thirty
men of the 14th. On Major Everard's column halting at the
bastion beyond the Kumbheer Grate, the Major found his num-
bers, which were originally 300, dwindled down to not more
than 100 or 120 bayonets, without one round of ammunition or
any support whatsoever, having in his rear a rampart of nearly
two miles in extent, on which the enemy were reassembling
from the town. The Major, finding his party in this helpless
situation, asked who would volunteer to head a few men back,
and to bring him a reinforcement and ammunition. Lieutenant
Caine instantly stepped forward and volunteered his services,
which were accepted, and with one serjeant, one corporal, and
twelve men, he cut his way through the enemy, drove them
from their guns, which they had re-manned, and was the first
person who reported to the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Com-
ber mere, the success and situation of Major Everard's column ;
and having received the required reinforcement and ammu-
nition, he returned. The Lieutenant was slightly wounded by
a grape-shot in the foot whilst leading his small party of volun-
teers in charging the enemy's guns at the Groverdhun Gate.
On the morning of the 19th January, Captain Meade, Aide-
de-Camp to General Eeynell, waited upon Lieutenant Caine,
and told him that the General had sent him, and had been
pleased to approve of the Lieutenant's conduct during the
assault, in consequence of a report made by Major Everard,
a-nd that therefore the Major-General had introduced his name
in the following manner, in his despatch dated 19th January,
1826 :—
' " Major Everard reports that Brigade-Major Caine, of the
K K
498
APPENDICES.
14th Regiment, accompanied him throughout, and distinguished
himself particularly." ^ have, &c.
* Samford Whittingham,
* Major-General.
' His Excellency the Lord Viscount Combermere, G.C.B., &c.
' Commander-in-Chief in India.'
APPENDIX D.
Sir Samford Whittingham's Commissions.
In the British Service.
Bom 29th January, 1772
Ensign 20th January, 1803
Lieutenant 10th March, 1803
Captain . . . . . , 14th February, 1805
Major 12th March, 1810
Lieutenant-Colonel (back dated to) . 30th May, 1811
Colonel 4th June, 1814
Major-General 27th May, 1825
Lieutenant-General .... 28th June, 1838
Colonel of 71st Highland Light Infantry 28th March, 183S
hi the Spanish Service.
Colonel 20th July, 1808
Brigadier-General .... 2nd March, 1801)
Mariscal de Campo . " . . . 12th August, 1809
Lieutenant-General .... 16th June, 1814
APPENDIX E.
Comr)ianders-in~Chief of Lidia, under ivhom Sir Samford
Whittingham served from 1822 to 1835.
Date of Appointmont.
The Marquis of Hastings* . . . 12th March, 1813
The Hon. Sir Edward Paget . . 3rd January, 1822
Viscount Combermere . . j. 14th March, 1825
The Earl ofDalhousie . . . 28th February, 1829
Sir Edward Barnes . . . 7th June, 1831
Lord William Bentinck t . . . 17th May, 1833
* Lord Hastings was Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief during
the whole of his stay in India.
t Lord William Bentinck was Commander-in-Chief during a part of the
latter half of his rule as Governor-General. Lord Amherst succeeded Lord
Hastings as Governor-General, and was himself succeeded by Lord AVilliam
Bentinck. Thus Sir Samford Whittingham served under three Governor-
Generals and six Commanders-in-Chief. Lord William left India in Feb-
ruary, 1835.
APPENDICES.
499
APPENDIX F.
List of such Memoirs and Memoranda ivritten by Sir Bamford
WIdttlngham for Sir Edward Paget or Lord William Ben-
tinck, as are now in the Possession of the Editor.
Dates
Full
Foolscap
Pages
Half
Margin
1823
June 10
Observations on the Consequences of a
Russian Invasion of India
15^
July 5
Memoirs on the Burmese Empire, com-
mencing in 1752
10
Sept. 30
Memoir on the Bengal Army .
14^
1824
March 31
Some Observations on the Possibility of
an Invasion of India by Russia ; and on
the Nature and Extent of their Means
of Execution . . . .
20
April 25
1
Memorandum of the State of the Bengal
Army, as lianded over to Sir Edward
i
Paget by the Marquis of Hastings
17
June 28
Propositions on the Survey Department .
9
July 19
Memorandum on the Campaign in Burmah
7
Nov. 25
Indian Army
30
Nov. 25*
Probability of a Russian Invasion
11
—
Proposed Distribution of Bengal Army .
13
not dated
Expedition of the Burmese against Man-
nipore and Cachar in 1774 .
17
not dated
India, as it should be governed
14
1833
Feb. 22
On the Indian Army (sent to Lord W. B.
from DinaiJore) .....
16^
Dec. 16
Dec. 30
Dec. 31
Papers on similar Subjects; altogether
nearly
20
1834
Feb. 28
Distribution of Southern Army of India .
3
March 5
Russian and British Administration of
Eastern Colonies compared .
10
April 7
Proposed Organization and Distribution of
Madras Army
10^
April 16
On the proposed Equalization of Bengal
and Madras Armies ....
6
1836
May 15
An Inquiry into the Means of Attack on
British India, and of the Defence to be
opposed to it
24
* The dates refer to the completion of the papers. Two appear to have
been completed on the same day. Two papers are without date, and one paper
has only the year marked on it. These were probably rough copies.
K K 2
INDEX.
ADAM
Adam Colonel; and next General Sir
Frederick. Mentioned in General
Orders after Castalla, by Sir John
Murray; p. 190. Governor of Ma-
dras ; p. 386.
Alava, General Don Miguel. His
valour at Medellin; p. 63. Ambas-
sador in England; p. 449.
Alburquerque, Duke of. His charac-
ter ; p. 53. Himself and Staff saved
by the vigilance of Col. S. W. ; p. 56.
His gallantry at Medellin ; p. 63.
His letters in praise of Col. S. W.
to the Duke of York and Viscount
Castlereagh ; p. 68. Saves Cadiz by
a rapid march ; p. 110. Kesigns his
command; p. 112. Ambassador in
England; p. 114. His death; note
at p. 114.
Arabin, Captain. (Afteiwards Colonel.)
Praised in General Orders after Cas-
talla; p. 190.
Auckland, Lord. His notes to Sir
S.W.; pages 413 and 414.
Barnes, General Sir Edward. Fifth
Commander-in-Chief over Sir S.W. ;
p. 380. Signs his own official death-
warrant; p. 382. Is superseded by
Lord William Bentinck; p. 391.
Bentinck, General Lord William. Em-
ploys Col. S. W. at Aranjuez ; pages
50 and 401. Believes Sir John
Murray in the east of Spain ; p. 201
Consults, in India, Sir S. W. regard-
ing his personal Staff; p. 355.
Adopts the Duke of Wellington's
opinion of Sir S. W.; p. 372. Styles
Sir S. his Friend and Counsellor ; p.
393.
Cadogan, Colonel, the Hon. Henry.
Meets Capt. S. W. at Buenos Ayres ;
p. 24. Two letters to him by S. W.;
pages 43 and 98. His heroic death ;
p. 201.
CUESTA
Caine, Captain. (Now Lieut.-Colonel.)
His great valour at Bhurtpore; p.
329. Made A.D.C. to Sir S. W. ;
p. 345. Second to Sir S. in a duel
with an Ensign ; p. 388.
Calcutta, Dr. Middleton, Bishop of.
Sir S. W. introduced to him by Wil-
berforce ; p. 290. His death ; p. 305.
Campbell, Colonel Patrick. His letter
to Sir S. W. concerning the English
Officers in Spain ; p. 252,
Castanos, General. (Afterwards Duke
of Baylen.) His generous conduct to
General Dupont; p. 35. Sends Col.
S. W. on special mission ; p. 36. His
kindness to S. W. after Tudela ; p. 47.
Gives away the bride at the marriage
of Gen. S. W.; p. 109. Capt.-Gen.
of Andalusia; p. 109. Appointed to
the Eegency; p. 133. Commands
Army of Catalonia in 1815 ; p. 254.
Castlereagh, Viscount. (afterwards
Marquis of Londonderry). Offiirs Sir
S.W. commissionership of Austrian
army; p. 257. His opinion of Mr.
E. H. Davis ; p. 284, His death ; p.
304.
CoLLiNGWOOD, Lord. Visit of Col. S. W.
to him about treaty of Baylen ; p. 37.
Combermere, General, (afterwards
Field-Marshal) Viscount. His cold-
ness to Sir S. W.; p. 326. His
visit to him ; p. 345. His friendli-
ness to him ; pages 346 and 353.
His confidence in him ; p. 357.
CoNSiDiNE, Captain William. His letters
to Sir S. W. on the praises of the
Adjutant-General ; pages 432 and
437. His remarks on Sir George
Napier ; p. 433.
Cotton, Colonel. (Afterwards General
Sir Willoughby.) His affijctionate
letters to Sir S. W. ; pages 350 and
353. His admiration of Sir Edward
Paget ; p. 352.
Craufurd, General Robert. His high
opinion of Capt. S. W. ; p. 27.
CuESTA, General. His folly loses the
In this Index S. W. stands for SamforJ Whittingham.
INDEX.
501
DALHOUSIE
battle of MedelUn; p. G2. S. W.
was his earliest British critic; p. 73.
His conduct before Talavcra ; p. 86.
His interview with Sir A. Wellesley ;
p. 86. Eesigns command ; p. 95.
Capt.-Gen. of Balearic Islands ; p.
137. His hostility to everytliing
English, and his insolence; p. 148.
His death; p. 150.
Dalhousie, Earl of. Fourth Com.-in-
Chief over Sir S. VV.; p. 364.
Dalbymple, General Sir Hew. Per-
mits Capt. S. W. to join Gen. Cas-
tanos, as a volunteer ; p. 30.
Davis, Mr. Eichard Hart, M.P. for
Bristol. Writes to Sir S. W. of the
Duke of Wellington's repeated praise
of him; p. 371.
DoNKiN, General Sir Rufane. His con-
duct in the affair between Sir S. W.
and Colonel Napier ; pages 407 and
409.
Eliot, Hon. William Writes to Mr.
Murdoch to appoint Lieut. Whitting-
ham to meet Mr. Pitt, the Premier ;
p. 6.
Elphinstone, Lord. Governor of Ma-
dras ; (and afterwards Governor of
Bombay). His fears that Sir S. W.
might on arrival take offence at his
absence; p. 461. Chief pall-bearer
at the funeral of Sir S. W. ; p. 490.
Fife, James Earl of. His coolness at
Talavcra, when Lord Macduff; p. 90.
His letter to S. W., conveying Mar-
shal SuchcVs opinion of the latter,
and of the Majorca Division ; p. 239.
His Lordship's letter to Editor ; vide
Preface.
Fkere, Mr. Bartle. Acts as Minister
on departure of Marquis Wellesley ;
p. 104, Marries by proxy the sister-
in-law of Gen. S. W. ; p. 271-
Fkere, Right Hon. John Hookham.
Minister in Spain, S. W.'s letters to
him; pages 58, 60, 65, 69, 70, 73,
and 80.
George IV. H. M.'s eulogistic letter,
introducing Sir S. W. to the Hon.
Sir E. Paget ; p. 292. H. M.'s high
opinion of Mr. R. H. Davis ; p. 284.
Glenelg, Lord. Secretary of State for
Colonies. Presents Sir S. W. to King
William IV,, at a private audience ;
p. 416. Expresses to Mr, Harford
his delight at Sir S. W.'s being ap-
LINIEKS
pointed Colonel of 71stRegt.; p. 439.
Credit due to his Lordship for the
emancipation of negroes in the West
Indies ; p. 441, His approval of Sir
S. W.'s conduct in that command ;
p. 453.
G ORDON, Colonel. (Afterwards General
Sir Willoughby . ) His praise of S. W. ;
pages 27 and 41.
Graham, General. (Afterwards Sir
Thomas, and eventually Lord Lyne-
doch.) His laudatory letter to Gen.
S. W. ; page 118. His mention of
him in his Barrosa dispatch ; p. 124.
GuBWOOD, Lieut.-Colonel. His corre-
spondence with Sir S, W. regarding
the Wellington Dispatches; pages
412, 478 and 479.
Hastings, Marquis of. His kind re-
ception of Sir S. W. ; p. 297. His
confidential conversations with Sir S. ;
pages 298 to 301.
Hill, Lord. Gen, Com8,-in-Chief. His
opinion of Sir S. W. ; pages 379 and
484.
HuGEL, Baron. His terse description
of the West Indies in a letter to Sir
S. W. ; p. 284.
Infantado, Duke of. His want of de-
cision causes the defeat of General
Venegas and his own supersession ;
p. bQ.
Kent, H.R,H. the Duke of. His two
letters to Mr. H. Davis in praise of
Gen. S. W, ; pages 83 and 132.
Knighton, Sir William. His first ac-
quaintance with Gen, S. W, ; p, 95.
His testimony to the abilities of Sir
S, W^; p. 331.
La Pena, Lieut, -General. By joining
him, Capt. S. W. took part in bat-
tle of Baylen, and thus became the
first Englishman who fought in Spain
during the Peninsular War ; p. 36.
Is rejoined by S. W. ; p. 44. His
generous resignation in favour of the
Duke of Infantado ; p. 53. Com-
mander-in-Chief of Allied Army at
Barrosa; p. 122. His conduct that
day a matter of controversy still ;
pp. 122-123. One of the Generals
employed in regulating the order of
San Fernando ; p, 264.
LiNiERS, General, General Whitelocke's
capitulation with him ; p. 21. His
dinner to the British chiefp, and
modest behaviour ; p. 22.
502
INDEX.
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool, Earl of. His letter to Mr.
Davis on Sir S. W.'s defence of the
Bengal Grovernment ; p. 331.
Macdonald, General Sir John, Adjutant
General. His praise of Sir S. W. ;
p. 432 and 437. His congratula-
tory letter on the Colonelcy of 71st
Regt. ; p. 436.
Madkas, Dr. Spencer, Bishop of. His
letter of thanks to Sir S. W.; p. 475.
Majorca, Llaneres, the Bishop of. His
great liberality to the Military Col-
lege, founded by Gen, S. W. ; p. 154.
MoxTEXEGRO, Count. Congratulates
Sir S. W. on having greatly contri-
buted to the suppression of the
Spanish Slave-Trade; p. 275.
MoNTiJO, Count of. His base conduct
occasions Sir S. W. to make a very
elfeetive speech to a furious Spanish
mob ; p. 48.
Murdoch, Mr. Thomas. Introduces
Lieut. S. W. to Mr. Pitt, the Pre-
mier ; p. 6.
Murray, Lieut.-General Sir John.
Mentions Gen. S. W. three times in
General Orders, pages 183 and 190 ;
again names him in his dispatch
after Castalla; p. 195. His trial and
virtual acquittal ; p. 250.
O'Reilly, Colonel, Barbarously mur-
dered by French soldiers; p. 213.
Paget, Admiral the Hon. Sir Charles.
Thanks Sir S. "W, for sending the
65th Regt, to Canada diiring the re-
bellion ; p, 433. His ' heart and soul '
remark regarding Sir S. W.; p. 437.
His death ; p. 440.
Paget, General, the Hon. Sir Edward.
His rapid promotion ; p. 8. Com"",-
in-Chief in India; p. 302, Employs
Sir S. W. in drawing up ' a General
State of India'; p. 307. Resolves
to keep Sir S, always with him ; p.
309. Writes to Earl Bathurst that
Sir S. W. created the means by which
Bhurtfore was taken ; p, 340. De-
clines to be second in any duel ;
p. 405. His dinner to Sir S, W. and
son at Chelsea Hospital; p. 455.
What Gen. Sir Charles Napier
thought of Sir Edward Paget; see
Preface.
Palmerston, Viscount. His letter of
thanks to Sir S. W. for a Memoir on
Russia and India, and a plan ; p,
424.
VENEGAS
Pellew, Admiral Sir Edward. (After-
wards Viscoimt Exmouth.) His cor-
respondence with General S. W. : pp.
141, 154, and 161.
Pitt, Right Hon. William. Employs
Lieut. S. W. on a secret mission ; p. 7-
Roche, Colonel. (Afterwards Sir
Keating Roche.) His letter to Mr.
R. H. Davis on the gallantry and
wound of Sir S, W.at Talavera; p. 91.
RuTi, Captain. The gallantry and
energy of this Spanish Officer ;
pages 180 and 215.
Smith, Colonel, Sir Charles Eelix.
His eulogistic letter to Sir S. W. ;
p. 467.
Smith, Colonel. (Afterwards General
Sir Harry Smith of AUwal.) His
spontaneous letter to Sir S. W. ; p.
472.
Somerset, Lord Fitzroy. (Afterwards
Lord Raglan.) His letter to the
Editor, on the death of Sir S. W. ;
p, 483,
Spain, Ferdinand King of. His first
meeting with Gen. S. W. ; p. 231.
The Royal gift; p. 233. Account of
the King's return to Spain, from
the Becollections ; p. 243. Gen. S
W. gives H. M. a paper on the Slave
Trade; p. 261. H.M. invites him to
ask for favours which are declined ;
p. 266. His last visit from Sir S. W. ;
p. 277.
Tatischeff, M, de. Russian Ambassa-
dor to Spain, His great influence with
king Ferdinand; pages 246 and 273.
Taylor, Sir Herbert. His eulogistic
letter to Sir S. W. ; p. 336. Deems
Sir E. Paget to have ensured the
success in Bicrmak, and atBkurtpore;
p. 356.
ToRRENS, Colonel. (Afterwards Ge-
neral Sir Henry.) Successively
Military Secretary, and Adjutant-
General at the Horse-Guards. His
praises of S. W. ; pages 142 and
223. His very striking letter to
Sir E. Paget introducing Sir S. ;
p, 293.
Vaughan, Right Hon. Charles, H.M.'s
Minister in Spain. His grateful men-
tion to Lord Castlereagh of Sir S. W.'s
diplomatic services ; p. 268.
Venegas, General. General S. W. sent
to him on mission by Loid Welling-
INDEX.
503
WALKER
ton ; pp. 107 and 109. Lord W.'s
confidence in Venegas; p. 110.
Walkeb, Colonel (afterwards General)
David. He and the officers of 58th
Eegt. most happy to serve under Ge-
neral S. W. ; p. 175.
Welleslky, Right Hon. Henry. (After-
wards Sir Henry. Eventually the
first Lord Cowley.) His arrival in
Spain; p. 111. His letter praising
Gen. S. W.'s formation of a Spanish
cavalry corps; p. 119. Requests
him not to resign his Spanish com-
mand ; p. 1 64. Congratulates him
on the success, in the field, of the
Majorca Division ; p. 187- His first
letter to Lord Castlereagh on the
militari/ services of Gen. S. W. ; p.
237. His letter to the Duke of York,
regarding his great diplomatic obli-
gations to Sir S. W. ; p. 271. His
second letter to Lord Castlereagh
on the services of Sir S. W. and
their being unrewarded by tlie
Spanish Gt^vernment; p. 279.
Wellesley, Marquis. His letter to
Mr. R. H. Davis, regarding certain
papers written by S. W. ; p. 82. At-
taches S. W. to the Embassy; p.
95. His letter of thanks and praise
at his departure from Spain ; p. 105.
His kind letter to Gen, S. W. from
England, when Secretary of Sbate for
Foreign affairs ; p. 120.
"Wellington (the Hon. Sir Arthur
Wellesley, successively Lord and),
Duke of. His honourable mention
in his dispatch of Brig'".-Gen. S. W.'s
being wounded at Talavera whilst
bringing two Spanish battalions into
action; p. 92. Some of his proofs
of confidence in Gen. S. W. ; pages
106 and 107. Grants the Inspector-
ship which he had at first refused,
as irregular; p. 177. Extract of his
dispatch to Earl Bat hurst forward-
ing Sir John Murray's report of two
of Gen. S. W.'s affairs of advanced
guards, and specially reporting him-
YORK
self that Gen. S. W. had driven
Suchet's advanced guard through the
pass of Alhayda; p. 184. Declines
in the matter of Inspectors of Spanish
troops (writing to Lord William
Bentinck) to do for ' anybody else '
what he had done for Gen. S. W. ; p.
205. ' Feels the utmost concern '
at the resignation of Gen. S. W.,
and persuades its withdrawal ; p.
216. Indirectly confirms the esti-
mate formed by Gen. S. W. of King
Ferdinand ; note at p. 233. His
comprehensive official letter to the
Duke of York on the Peninsular
services of S. W.; p. 234. States
and repeats (sixteen years later) to
Mr. R. H. Davis that ' We had not
such another officer in the army' as
Sir S. W.; p. 371. His Grace's note to
Sir S. W.on the death of Sir William
Knighton ; p. 419. Writes to Sir S.
W. that he ' shall be at all times
very happy to receive him ;' p. 457.
WiiiTELOCKE, Lieut.-General. Appoints
Captain S. W. to be one of his aides-
de-camp ; p. 12. Employs him on
very hazardous service; p. 16. His
trial, condemnation, and sentence ;
p. 25.
WiLBERFORCB, Mr. William, M.P. His
dictated letter introducing Sir S. W.
to the Bishop of Calcutta; p. 290.
His autograph letter to Sir S. ; p. 291.
William IV. His Majesty's audience
to Sir S. W. before starting for the
West Indies, and his gracious re-
marks; p. 416.
York, H.R.H. the Duke of. Recom-
mends Sir S. W. to Sir Henry Wel-
lesley ; p. 258. His letter to Mr.
Davis in praise of Sir S. W. ; p. 271.
His letter to Sir E. Paget recom-
mending Sir S.W. as • highly deserv-
ing of his confidence;' p. 292. Ex-
presses, through Sir Herbert Taylor,
the interest with which he had read
Sir S. W.'s journal of the siege of
Bhurfpore; p. 337.
THE END.
LCNDOX: PKINTED BY
SrOTTISWOODE .lA'D CO., NEW-STKEET SQUARE
A>'D PARLIAMENT STBEEX
EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS
( Which appeared up to the completion of the printing of th
New Edition).
PALL MALL GAZETTE.
' Sir Samford Whittingham was one of those men whose lives ought to be
written .... and though he died Commander-in-Chief of the Madras army, we
may safely hazard the assertion that few soldiers who have done so much have
received so little public recognition of their courage, loyalty, and military
capacity as that which fell to his lot. His career is specially interesting, as being
that of one who was born to be a soldier, and who, in many respects, came up to
the popular ideal of a soldier, sans peur et sans re/proche. . . . The story of the
battle [of Talavera], so far as it came under Whittingham's own eyes, is as lively
an account of the horrors, and moreover of the ludicrous aspects, of a murderous
conflict as we have ever come across.'
EXAMINER.
* The estimate of his character, which his son leaves the reader to draw for
himself, is that of a brave, clear-headed, just, and stern warrior, apt at organising
raw levies, and capable of any work that might be entrusted to him. His
go .erosity, amiability, and unselfishness are patent everywhere to the most careless
reader. Many of the sentiments expressed in his correspondence, and not a few
of the ideas worked out in his memoranda, show his sagacity, wisdom, and
foresight.'
MORNING POST.
'He [Sir Samford'] was constantly occupied in the negotiations between the
English and Spanish Governments, as well as in the various military operations
during the campaigns, and describes with much ability the scenes that ho
witnessed. His opinions on passing events are written with soldier-like frank-
ness, and display remarkable powers of discrimination and foresight. . . . The
biographer has displayed much impartiality, although coupled with a natural
pride in his father's distinguished services. . . . The memoirs .... are altogether
very interesting, and afford a valuable study for young soldiers.'
UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE.
' Ax officer whose services are not so well known as they ought to be, and
though recorded by Wellington, and published in the London Gazette, are not to
be found in " Napier." .... Though only an English Captain till 1810 .... he
was, in fact, a General Officer in command of large bodies of [SpanisK] troops that
did good service ; among them the Majorca division .... of which Marshal
Suchet, after the war, spoke as being " in as high a military state as any of his
own troops." .... The reader will find many acute remarks on men and things
in India .... which, had they received the attention that they merited, would
have caused the transfer of the Government to the Crown, and might probably
liave averted the Indian Mutiny. . . . The care that he took of tlie health of his
troops shows that he was as earnest and enlightened as any sanatory refonner of
tlio pi'esent day. Taken altogether, this memoir is one that deserves an attentive
perusal, which it will well repay.'
Extracts from lieviews.
JOHN BULL.
' This goodly volumo recoi'ds the gallant deeds of one of England's bravest
soldiers, of whose history it is to be feared his countrymen generally are ignorant.
Yet his military career .... was one of no ordinary character ; and the
testimony borne to his worth by the great Duke must be not only satisfactory to
his family, but should commend the work to the general public, for Sir S. F.
Whittingham was not merely a soldier, though devoted to his profession, but
performed important civil functions.'
PRESS.
' These memoirs, published by his son, are worthy of this permanent record.
They illustrate the history of two important epochs, by throwing light on the state
of the Peninsula during the first quarter, and by explaining the position of affairs
in India during the early portion of the second quarter, of this century.'
STAR.
* The name of Sir Samford Whittingham is one little known, yet he was a brave
soldier, a good administrator, and an able general. The memoir seems to be well
and conscientiously done. It is extremely interesting.'
OBSERVER.
' It is never too late to correct statements of historical events. . . . The
memoirs will, no doubt, be read with great satisfaction.'
DAILY NEWS.
' He had the .... disadvantage of being an Englishman. If he had only
had the good fortune to hail from north of the Tweed, or west of the Irish
Channel, we should have had no end of solos on the trumpet of Fame to his
honour. As it is, we are glad to receive this record of his services.'
ATHEN/EUM.
' He was held in high esteem by appreciating adversaries {the reviewer here
quotes Marshal Suchefs testimony/), and may be said to have fought his way to
distinction. He was a gentleman as well as a soldier, and had a quick eye to see
what was before him. . . . King Ferdinand had a valuable general in our hero.
.... If OUT readers would refresh their memories touching the fiasco at Buenos
Ayres .... and if they have curiosity about incidents of military life in various
parts of the world, they will find their account by looking into these memoirs of a
gallant old English soldier.'
UNITED SERVICE GAZETTE.
' The subject of this biography is, in fact, made to tell his own story, and a
very pleasant and instructive story it is for all military readers.'
BRISTOL TIMES.
' The subject of the memoir .... may be readily accepted as one of old
Bristol's sonsi of whom she may be justly proud.'
STANDARD.
' He [the Editor] tells us all the facts concerning a career that ought to interest
every soldier of England's army. . . . The imputations against his father the
author eifectually rebuts .... the vindication of Sir Samford's conduct and
motives is complete .... whose reputation will be not inconsiderably enhanced
by these memoirs of a life well spent in the service of England.'
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